Man accused of breaking into ex's home, stealing several items

ST.JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – A man is accused of breaking into an ex-girlfriends residence while armed and stealing several items, according to a probable cause affidavit.

On Nov. 23, South Bend Police were notified of a breaking and entering. 

Sharon Hubbard had called police accusing a former boyfriend, 35-year-old Taylor J. Cleadus, of breaking into her home.

Hubbard told officials she was spending time with boyfriend, Shawn Helen, when she heard banging on her door.

Cleadus allegedly appeared with a tan colored gun in Hubbard’s bedroom, forcing Helen to vacate the premises, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states during the argument between Cleadus and Helen, Hubbard fled from the home’s back exit to a nearby McDonald’s restaurant where she called police.

An officer arrived and escorted Hubbard back to her residence where they found Helen outside the premises waiting.

The affidavit further states Helen told the officer he was at Hubbard’s residence when he heard loud banging sounds and saw Cleadus entering the bedroom that Hubbard and he were in.

Helen describes how Cleadus forced him out of Hubbard’s home with a gun, in court documents, telling him to get into his vehicle. Helen says he left the property in his vehicle.

After hearing Helen’s account, an officer found the front door of Hubbard’s home damaged by forced entry.

Hubbard claims she discovered credit cards, a cellphone, other items, and a purse taken from the home without permission.

Detectives later uncovered security footage from a First Source Bank ATM in South Bend allegedly showing Cleadus using one of Hubbard’s stolen credit cards to withdraw cash approximately 45 minutes after the alleged burglary.

Cleadus was arrested Thursday, Jan. 3 and released from the St. Joseph County Jail on a $1000 bond on Jan. 7. He’s due back in court on Jan. 14 for his initial hearing.

Cleadus faces one count of Burglary, a Level 4 Felony and one count of Fraud, a Level 6 Felony.