Indiana men charged in Middletown home invasion that included one struck by gunfire

Three Indiana men have been charged for a home invasion early Friday morning at a Middletown home.

Police were dispatched the 2000 block of Sheffield Street on a report of a home invasion robbery. Three people entered the home, displayed handguns and demanded items from the residents, according to Middletown police.

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One of the residents fired multiple rounds at the intruders, hitting one of them. All three suspects then fled in a vehicle. Officers saw the vehicle traveling westbound on Central Avenue in the downtown area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not stop. Officers pursued the vehicle until they lost sight of it near the Ohio and Indiana border.

Middletown Police put out the description of the vehicle and details about the incident to agencies in Ohio and Indiana. The Muncie Indiana Police Department located the vehicle and all the subjects involved in the incident.

Middletown police Chief David Birk said one of the suspects was hit by the gunfire. Birk said it is unknown if the suspects had a connection to the residents, but the investigation is ongoing.

James Payne II, Marquice Grandberry, and Jonathan Smith, all from Muncie, are charged with aggravated robbery. One of the individuals is in custody in Muncie and the other two individuals are seeking medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

The Middletown Division of Police would like to extend our appreciation for the assistance we received from the Muncie Indiana Police Department during this investigation. Anyone with further information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Brook McDonald 513-425-7745.

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