2 men charged with burglary over $1,000 purebred Husky

NEW HAVEN, Ind. — Two men, identified as Christopher Collins and James Steele, face felony charges after reportedly entering a woman’s home and attempting to steal a $1,000 purebred Husky, according to Allen Superior Court documents.

Collins and Steele are both charged with one Level 3 felony count of burglary and a Level 6 felony count of residential entry.

Around 11 p.m. Monday, Collins arrived at a New Haven home, knocked on the door and demanded to have the dog. After the woman who answered refused, Collins called out to Steele, who was waiting in the car with his 13-year-old son, who has a disability. Steele proceeded to kick open the door, breaking it and forcing entry. Pieces of the door shattered onto the ground.

The dog used to belong to Collins before he surrendered ownership five years ago, according to court documents.

Despite being the woman’s nephew, Collins did not live there and was not invested in the home in any way. The woman was standing behind the door when it was kicked, which caused an injury to her face. She was then pushed out of the way as Collins tried to take the dog.

Afterward, Collins, Steele and Steele’s son went to a truck stop. While Steele was inside the truck stop, Collins took off with Steele’s son in the car. Collins was later taken into custody, and the child was taken into protective custody.

Steele — who had a prior, unrelated conviction for theft in Ohio — was found walking down East Lincoln Highway in New Haven and also taken into custody.