CIRCLEVILLE, OH – April 5, 2025 — A man who broke into a Logan Street home in the early hours of Saturday morning told police he was “Jesus” and that “voices in his head” led him there, according to a report from the Circleville Police Department.
At approximately 4:52 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress after a homeowner called 911 and reported that an unknown man had entered their house. The couple told dispatchers they were locked in their bedroom with a firearm while the intruder moved through their home.
Upon arrival, officers observed a male wearing a black hoodie inside the kitchen. Attempts to contact anyone inside were unsuccessful, and both the front and rear doors were locked. Due to the active threat, officers forced entry through the front door and located the suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Alexander McGonigle, exiting the bathroom with his hands raised.
Initially, McGonigle claimed he lived at the residence, but the homeowners confirmed they did not know him. While being detained, McGonigle refused to provide his real identity, repeatedly telling officers he was “Jesus,” “God,” and “Alexander the Great.” He also claimed that voices instructed him to enter the home.
During a search incident to arrest, officers recovered $2,436 in cash, multiple flashlights, keys, a pack of cigarettes, and other items. The female homeowner told police she had approximately $2,000 in her purse, which had been rifled through. Officers also confirmed McGonigle entered through a rear window.
McGonigle was transported to the Pickaway County Jail but was refused entry due to mental health concerns and claims of substance withdrawal. He was taken to Berger Hospital, where Rapid ID confirmed his identity and revealed he had an active felony warrant for kidnapping through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
He now faces multiple charges, including:
- Burglary (ORC 2911.12)
- Criminal Trespass (ORC 2911.21)
- Theft (ORC 2913.02)
- Failure to Disclose Personal Information (ORC 2921.29)
- Obstructing Official Business (ORC 2921.31)
The case remains under investigation, and the recovered money has since been returned to its rightful owner after verification by the Circleville Police Department.
