A Syracuse man was arrested Wednesday on charges of allegedly molesting a child.
Thomas Allen Books II, 34, Syracuse, is charged with child molesting, a level 1 felony; child molesting, a level 2 felony; child molesting, a level 4 felony; and intimidation, a level 6 felony.
He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 5:35 a.m. Wednesday on a $15,250 preliminary bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Wednesday, Kosciusko County Central Dispatch advised officers of a sexual assault at a residence. Dispatch related to officers the caller stated Books grabbed a gun and exited the residence. In addition, the caller locked the doors and Books pounded on the front door and eventually entered the residence. Books allegedly tried to get someone to leave a bedroom, which the person didn’t do, and Books possibly left with the gun in a GMC Acadia.
A Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a GMC SUV southbound on Warner Road and initiated a traffic stop with several officers. Books was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Officers located a black G Force Arms 12-gauge shotgun with a pistol grip in the front seat of Books’ vehicle.
A deputy took an initial report from a woman who said she woke up and found Books next to a minor’s bed.
A witness said someone came running into the bedroom and said Books was going to kill himself and someone saw Books load a long black gun and was told to get out of the house. Books was pushed out the door and the door was locked, according to court documents.
The minor and other children locked themselves in a bathroom.
On Wednesday, the minor completed a forensic interview at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, Warsaw. During the interview, the minor disclosed Books entered their bedroom, woke them up and laid on the floor beside them. Books allegedly told the minor to mess with him or he’d kill them. The minor told the forensic interview they thought Books would shoot them.
A Kosciusko County detective spoke with Books who allegedly admitted he touched the minor.