Charges are lodged in Mishawaka man’s death

Headline: Charges are lodged in Mishawaka man’s death
Byline Title: Tribune Staff Report
Publication Date: 01/13/2009 12:00:00 AM
Publication Info: mars, , B2

SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office announced charges Monday in the death of William Fields, an 86-year-old man found dead Thursday in his Mishawaka home.

Adam Chrzan, 27, of Mishawaka, has been charged with two counts of murder, both Class A felonies, and one count each of robbery and burglary, both Class B felonies.

According to charging documents, family members told investigators the night of Field’s murder that a recently purchased flat-panel television missing from Fields’ home was present the day before his death.

Investigators questioned a female neighbor, who reportedly told them that about 6:42 p.m. Wednesday, Chrzan arrived at her home and asked to use her cell phone. She said he called an unknown individual and spoke about selling the person a flat-panel television. She also said that about 10 to 20 minutes before knocking on her door, she saw Chrzan walking toward his Dale Avenue home from the direction of Fields’ home.

Investigators reportedly called the number listed in the cell phone’s memory and spoke with an individual who admitted to buying a television from Chrzan.

The television was taken into evidence and later identified by family members as belonging to Fields’, charging documents state.

Investigators then interviewed Chrzan, who reportedly admitted to entering Fields’ garage about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and taking a stack of magazines, a “turbo torch tank” and a flashlight.

But Chrzan denied entering Fields’ home and taking the television, charging documents state. He also denied speaking with the buyer of the television on the neighbor’s phone.

Family members reportedly told investigators that Fields was home and alive at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, about two hours before Chrzan admitted to taking the items from his garage.

Chrzan’s initial hearing is set for 8 a.m. Jan. 20.

Article: South Bend Tribune