Goldilocks, Decatur-style: Who’s been living in my house?
Police say people break into River City home, claim they own it when owner returns; 2 arrested on burglary charges

By Seth Burkett
sburkett@decaturdaily.com · 340-2355

A burglar accused a homeowner of trespassing in her own house, Decatur police said Tuesday.

Kim Ledford returned to her home in the 1000 block of Ninth Avenue Southeast on Monday after an extended absence and noticed the front door had been forced open, police said.

Ledford went into her bedroom and found a strange man lying on the bed, said Lt. Frank DeButy, a police spokesman.

That’s when a woman appeared dressed in Ledford’s clothes, DeButy said.

Ledford asked why they were in her house.

The woman, 45-year-old Kelly Jo Moore, told Ledford that she lived there but that she would leave if it was causing a problem, DeButy said.

“Ms. Ledford immediately telephoned police to report what had occurred,” DeButy said. “As the police were en route, another subject named Cornelius Goode arrived at the residence and began questioning Ms. Ledford’s right to even be inside the residence.”

DeButy said Goode, 29, claimed to be the owner of the residence, though “he of course is not.”

Police arrived and arrested both Moore and Goode.

Each faces a charge of third-degree burglary.

The unidentified man who was on the bed when Ledford arrived was not arrested, DeButy said. More information about the man was unavailable.

During a search of Moore following her arrest, police found drug paraphernalia, DeButy said. She was additionally charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.

DeButy said investigators believe Goode and Moore broke into the house and had been living there without Ledford’s knowledge.

DeButy said he did not know how long they had been living there.

Moore and Goode are currently residing in the Morgan County Jail in lieu of $750 and $1,250 bonds, respectively.

Email This Page