ASHLAND — Zachary L. Pierce, 40, of Idabel, Oklahoma was arrested Saturday and charged with aggravated burglary Tuesday morning after a series of incidents which included a gunshot fired at an Ashland residence.
Ashland County Prosecutor Christ Tunnell said the investigation involves numerous local agencies, in addition to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. He explained the case is ongoing and because so many agencies and alleged crimes are involved it will take some time to review all the information as it arrives at the prosecutor’s office.
“We charging the defendant with the most serious crime involved by complaint as we continue to review all the evidence in an attempt to maintain public safety,” Tunnell explained.
Pierce was formally charged in connection with an incident at a residence located at 688 Township Road 1600 in Ashland that was reported around 4:45 a.m., Tunnell said. During the confrontation at the residence, the homeowner discharged a firearm toward the suspect after a window was broken.
Pierce may face further charges after local law enforcement officers were dispatched to a series of attempted break-ins in the area around Township Road 1600 and County Road 1575, and an attempted vehicle theft from a business located in the area, Tunnell said.
Officers from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol all responded to the area. and are involved in the investigation.
