Gasconade County Republican

Warrant applications for five adults and two Juveniles from Union are expected to be filed this week to Gasconade County Prosecuting Attorney, Ada-Brehe Krueger.

These warrant applications are a result of a month-long burglary/stealing investigation conducted by Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office, led by Deputy Tom Dodson.

On Jan. 4, 2012, Dodson responded to a rural Owensville business on Route EE after an individual believed he observed some of his family’s property on a trailer, being pulled by a pickup, on Highway 28 the previous day.

Dodson met with the property owner at which time it was discovered the business had been burglarized. Property inside the business had been damaged and numerous items had been stolen from both inside and outside the business. The victim realized numerous truck and tractor parts, both new and used, were missing from the establishment. It was unknown at the time of the report the cash value of these items.

Dodson began his investigation at local recycling centers, based on the witness’ information, and was able to locate items matching those reported stolen by the victim. Records of sales obtained from multiple recycling centers in the area provided Dodson with the names of the individuals responsible for the sale of the items. These names quickly led Dodson to the Franklin County residents.

Over the course of the next two weeks, Dodson contacted all the suspects involved with the assistance of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Union Police Department. Interviews were completed and it was determined the individuals were stealing the property and “scrapping” it for profit. Dodson confirmed the group had been to the Route EE location several times between Dec. 17, 2011, and Jan. 3, 2012, at which time they are believed to have removed approximately 22 loads of material.

It is estimated the value of the stolen property is $20,000 and the estimated value of the damaged property was nearly $10,000. The price of recycled material during the time of this incident was nearly $220 per ton. With a total of nearly 23 tons (46,000 pounds) being recycled, the group received payment of over $5,000.

Restitution laws in Missouri are designed to allow victims to recoup “replacement” costs and not “scrapped” costs. The warrant application  outline the following charges: burglary 2nd degree (a class C felony), stealing over $500 (a class C felony), tampering 1st degree (a class C felony), property damage 1st degree (a class D felony), stealing under $500 (a class A misdemeanor), and trespassing 1st degree (a class B misdemeanor).

Unfortunately, the victims were only able to reclaim approximately $115 worth of material. They were successful in identifying a majority of their property but the items were too far along in the recycling process to be recovered.

The victims were extremely helpful in this investigation by having a good recollection of the items they owned. Residents are encouraged to catalog items on their property as this victim has done in the event of a similar occurrence.

“Scrapping” can be a profitable business to both the property owner and the “Scrapper” but “Scrappers” need to be certain they have the correct permissions before entering another person’s property to remove any scrap material. Even though an item appears to be derelict doesn’t mean someone doesn’t own it.

This is the fourth reported theft case involving “scrappers” in the past month which has been investigated by the Sheriff’s Office. Suspects have been identified in all four cases. These cases range from the theft of steel and aluminum material to abandoned automobiles.

“Scrapping” has become more prevalent over the past few years and these types of calls are becoming more and more frequent. A quick response by the property owner is a must if suspects are to be identified.

— From Gasconade County Sheriff Randy Esphorst