MERRILLVILLE | A 37-year-old Gary man, who is accused of breaking into a Merrillville home Thursday, allegedly told the homeowner he was there looking for a lost dog.
The homeowner left his residence in the 5800 block of Nicholson Road about 2 p.m. to pick up his child from school, Merrillville police Detective Ray Smith said.
When he returned, the homeowner saw an unfamiliar truck parked in his driveway and a man walking from the rear of the residence, Smith said.
The man, later identified as Matthew Urbaszewski, claimed he was searching for a lost dog before he drove away in the truck, Smith said.
After calling Merrillville police, the homeowner discovered glass in his rear door was broken and the door was open, court documents state. The homeowner also saw footprints in his home that weren't there before he left, the documents state.
Lake County police stopped a truck in Griffith that matched the description of the vehicle at the Merrillville home, Smith said. Urbaszewski was driving the truck, court document state.
Urbaszewski initially told police a man gave him $10 to drive him to the Merrillville home. He indicated he heard glass breaking after taking the man to the location, according to court documents.
Urbaszewski later told police he broke the glass with his elbow to open the door, the documents state.
Smith said no items were taken from the home.
Urbaszewski was charged in Lake Criminal Court with felony burglary and residential entry.
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