Suspect Wanted From Hobart KFC Burglary
On December 24, 2020 at approximately 1:30 AM, Hobart Police Officers responded to Kentucky Fried Chicken, located on the 3200 block of East 80th Avenue in reference to an activated alarm, according to Captain James Gonzales.
When Officers arrived at the restaurant they noticed the drive thru window was shattered and the glass to the window was on the floor inside of the restaurant. While on scene the Officers were able to make contact with a store employee, who subsequently shared surveillance images of the suspect who entered the restaurant and was rummaging through the registers. The Officers described the suspect as being a male black wearing dark colored clothing, black gloves and a large puffy style jacket.
The Officer on scene remembered seeing a person who matched that description earlier in the area of Route 30 and Colorado Street, near Sam’s Club walking west. Officers began checking the area and while they were in the area of the 8200 Block of Louisiana Street, near the Fairbridge Inn, an Officer noticed a subject whose clothing matched the description of the suspect who was inside of KFC, the Officer stopped and spoke with the subject who identified himself as Damon Antonio Clay. The Officer asked Clay about his recent early morning travels, which Clay told the Officer he had stopped at a nearby gas station, which had been closed for several hours and then he told the Officer that he went to another gas station and pointed east towards KFC and purchased doll clothing, but the Officer didn’t find any doll clothing with Mr. Clay.
The Officers checked with the clerk at the Fairbridge Inn and were able to observe Mr. Clay’s comings and goings for early morning hours of December 24 and observed what he was wearing and it was consistent with the clothing the person was wearing inside of KFC and the clothing Mr. Clay was currently wearing.
Mr. Clay was transported to the Hobart City Jail and subsequently interviewed by an investigator. Mr. Clay admitted to the investigator that he was the person who kicked open the drive thru doors and entered KFC. He admitted to the investigator that he was looking for money in order to satisfy an addiction.
Mr. Clay was charged through the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office with Level 5 Burglary and Class B Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Anyone who may know Mr. Clay’s whereabouts can contact police through 9-1-1.
Mr. Clay was last known to be staying at the Fairbridge Hotel, located on the 8200 block Louisiana Street in Merrillville.
“Hobart Officers that morning were diligent with their initial investigation and were able to effectively “connect the dots” and bring a swift resolution to this burglary,” Gonzales added.
