GALLIPOLIS — Three men have been arrested in connection with the burglary of a Pleasant Hill Road residence that occurred last Thursday evening, July 2, in Green Township.

At approximately 8:40 p.m. last Thursday, Gallia County 9-1-1 received a call from a man who said he had just observed three males kick in the door to his neighbor’s residence. A second call was phoned in less than ten minutes later by a woman who advised that her husband was hiding behind a shed with a gun, watching the burglary.

Gallia County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the residence, but prior to their arrival the caller advised that the three men exited the residence and were attempting to flee when her husband fired off a round. She informed 9-1-1 that her husband and grandson had chased the suspects down and were holding two of the three men at gunpoint in a nearby hay field.

Upon the arrival of deputies, Michael A. Writesel, 22, Gallipolis, and Richard K. Mullins, 23, Bidwell, were arrested, charged with the alleged burglary, and lodged in the Gallia County Jail.

The two helpful neighbors were identified as John R. Smith, 68, and John J. Vernon, 33, family members of the victims, Jay and Sasha Stout.

Deputies were unable to immediately locate the third suspect, but according to the sheriff’s office, an investigation into the incident led to the arrest of Jeremy A. Gibson, 22, Bidwell, on Sunday.

The sheriff’s office added that detectives were able to successfully link the three suspects to two other burglaries, one that occurred on East Bethel Road in Gallia County and one that occurred in Athens County.

Additional charges, including possession of criminal tools, are expected to be presented against the trio during the next session of the grand jury along with charges related to the two other burglaries.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Gallia County sheriff’s office tipline at 446-6555.