On October 23rd, 2012 Casa Grande P.D. was called to investigate a residential burglary and auto theft which occurred in their jurisdiction. During the investigation the victim reported that an unknown individual broke into her home, burglarized it and then stole her vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with OnStar, a GPS tracking device. Working with OnStar, the GPS was activated and the vehicle was located parked at a residence in the 3700 block of East Batten Road. Casa Grande Police Department served a search warrant on the house which Jake Hardin was living in. Hardin was arrested by Casa Grande Police Department for Auto Theft, Burglary and Identity Theft.
 
Inside of his residence detectives from both agencies discovered the property from numerous other burglary cases. Detectives and Evidence Technicians were at the home for over 12 hours collecting and processing evidence.
 
The property collected maybe tied to as many as 25 residential burglaries at various locations in Pinal County. During one of the burglaries in Arizona City on September 10th, 2012 a box containing the ashes of the victims late husband along with numerous other items were taken. During the search warrant property from this burglary was recovered including the box containing the ashes.
 
Detectives will continue to process the property collected and work with other law enforcement agencies in an effort to return the property to victims of other burglaries.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Jake Hardin is a serial burglar who was caught thanks to the cooperative efforts of Pinal County law enforcement agencies working together. Hardin has caused so many victims fear and frustrations during his string of crimes. Now that Hardin is behind bars and the criminal charges are stacking up against him, victims will be able to work with law enforcement agencies to get their stolen property back.”