ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Police Department reports that their Warrants Team went to a home in the 2200 block of Phillipa Street in South Bend Friday morning in search of a suspect.

The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Randolph Warren, was wanted on Felony failure to appear for Domestic Battery committed in the presence of a child under 16 years of age along with multiple counts of misdemeanor Theft.

Police say once officers were inside the home, they found Warren hiding in the basement.

He was subsequently arrested and taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.

Patrick Dowd affirms under the penalty of perjury and states:

According to a probable cause affidavit, the Domestic Battery charge stems from a July 27, 2024, incident at the home on Phillipa Street.

Documents state South Bend police were dispatched to the home for a domestic disturbance.

Officers then met with the victim, who reported they got into an argument with Warren, who lives with them, over him doing drugs, breaking the TV, and not cleaning.

The victim told police that's when Warren grabbed their shirt and hit their chest.

At this point, the victim says they asked the other resident in the home to call the police.

The victim reported this all happened in front of two children, a 4- and 6-year-old, who were in their custody.

An officer then spoke to the 6-year-old, who reported Warren grabbed the victim's shirt and hit their chest, while the 4-year-old reported he grabbed the victim's shirt, but didn't hit the victim.

The other resident told police they didn't see the incident.

An officer then spoke to Warren, who they say appeared fidgety, sweaty, and in an altered state.

Warren told police the victim was playing mind games with him and using reverse psychology and denied any physical contact with them.