Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 4, 2022
Zanesville man sentenced to prison for series of car break-ins
The Zanesville man responsible a series of car break-ins on the city’s north end that had residents on edge for months will spend the next five years in prison for his crimes.
Keyon Thorpe, 25, pleaded guilty to six third-degree felony counts of theft of firearms in Common Pleas Court.
Police first launched the investigation into Thorpe in August when both the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office and Zanesville Police Department started receiving reports of vehicle break-ins.
Sheriff’s detectives began obtaining surveillance videos from security cameras in the neighborhoods where the defendant committed his crimes.
In late October, following another round of break-ins, deputies spotted Thorpe walking on Military Road wearing the same clothing and carrying the same diaper bag seen on security footage.
Thorpe would later admit to investigators that he had been targeting north Zanesville neighborhoods since summertime, stealing credit cards, electronics, cash and weapons.
In total, police were able to connect Thorpe to four thefts in August and 17 over the course of six nights in October.
The majority of thefts came from unlocked vehicles; however, Thorpe smashed the windows of one vehicle and entered the garage to get to another.
Of the six firearms Thorpe stole, four have since been recovered by law enforcement after Thorpe sold them illegally.
“Breaking into cars may seem like a minor crime to some, but the impact of the crime is felt by everyone. Victims lose not only their property, but their sense of safety and security,” Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “Those that weren’t victims are impacted by increased insurance costs that are passed along as a result of the defendant’s crimes.”
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is grateful and appreciative for the cooperation between victims, neighbors and law enforcement that resulted in a successful prosecution and lengthy sentence.
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