Case advances against veteran Dayton police officer accused of home break-in

UPDATE @ 5:05 p.m.: The Dayton Police Department issued a statement in the criminal case against veteran police Officer Torrence Laprath, accused of home break-in early Sunday:

“Officer T. Laprath has been a Dayton Police Officer for 11 years.

“He is currently on unpaid administrative leave. The criminal case against him will move forward with detectives meeting with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office regarding possible charges.

“There is also an active administrative investigation being conducted by the Dayton Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau.”

UPDATE @ 4:18 p.m. (Nov. 12):

An off-duty Dayton police officer was held down by a homeowner after that officer allegedly broke into the house on Strathaven Drive early Sunday, according to a 911 call.

Torrence Laprath, 33, was arrested and booked into jail around 1 a.m. following the reported burglary in the 4700 block of Strathaven.

“He kicked my front door wide open.  My wife and daughter are freaked out and so am I,” the homeowner told 911 operators.  “He came right after me and tried to tackle me, but I got away and got on top of him and I’m sitting on top of him right now.”

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Laprath has since been released from the Montgomery County Jail and the Dayton Police Department is investigating.

“We are aware of the incident. Besides the criminal investigation, there will be an administrative investigation conducted by the professional standards bureau,” a Dayton police spokesperson said in a prepared statement.

A Montgomery County Jail sergeant said the homeowner and arrested officers felt Laprath was intoxicated and may have mistakenly gone into the wrong house.

We’re working to contact Laprath for comment on this story and will update it with any response he may have.

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