37-year-old Mitchell Andrew Searle has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of various felony offenses coming from a violent crime spree that scared Belleview residents on the night of December 11, 2024.
Judge Peter Brigham imposed the sentence following Searle’s conviction for:
- Burglary with Battery
- Two counts of Burglary of a Dwelling
- Burglary of a Structure
- Three counts of Criminal Mischief
In addition to the life sentence, Searle received two concurrent 15-year sentences and a five-year concurrent sentence.
A Night of Terror
The tumultuous night began with Corporal Harrington of the Belleview Police Department responding to a suspected burglary at Shepherd’s Lighthouse, a residential institution. As Cpl. Harrington arrived, he noticed the front door open, but screams from a nearby property quickly diverted his attention.
As the officer neared the property, he observed a severe kick to the front door. A victim inside, along with their spouse and baby kid, described the terrible moments after the door was breached…