Pittsburg Burglary Suspects Arrested
Two men from Pittsburg are behind bars after they allegedly broke into a house last weekend and tried to sell some of the stolen goods to the victim’s relatives. The relatives turned them into the police. Ben Hartman and Gary Murphy, who are believed to have stolen cash, guns and power tools from a home on North Woodland, are facing felony gun, and burglary charges.
Full press release from Pittsburg Police:
On Saturday morning, August 24, 2019, at approximately 9:30 AM, law enforcement officers of the Pittsburg Police Department responded to 511 N. Woodland St., Pittsburg, regarding a report of a residential burglary. Officers learned the residence had been forcibly entered during the overnight hours while nobody was present, and numerous items of property, including cash money, power tools and firearms, were stolen.
On Wednesday afternoon, August 28, 2019, the victim of this burglary located the suspects at a residence in the 500 block of E. 14th St. and contacted the authorities. The suspects had apparently tried to sell the stolen property to one of the victim’s relatives, who then in turn alerted the victim. 19 year-old Benjamin P. G. Hartman, of Pittsburg, and 58-year-old Gary L. Murphy, also of Pittsburg, were detained at that time pending additional follow up by officers and detectives. The supects were later arrested and transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking.
Mr. Hartman was arrested for felony theft of a firearm, felony burglary of a dwelling with intent to
commit a theft, felony burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal a firearm, felony theft and misdemeanor criminal damage. Mr. Hartman is being held in lieu of a $5,000.00 bond.
Mr. Murphy was arrested for felony theft of a firearm, felony burglary of a dwelling with intent to
commit a theft, felony burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal a firearm, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony theft and misdemeanor criminal damage. Mr. Murphy also had a parole detainer issued for him through the Kansas Department of Corrections and is being held without bond.
The power tools and all but one of the firearms that were stolen from 511 N. Woodland St. on August 24th were recovered.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.