Caruthersville man arrested on suspicion of committing string of Bootheel burglaries

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- More than a dozen burglaries may have been solved and $20,0000 in stolen property recovered following the arrest of a Caruthersville man.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Caruthersville officers were called to investigate a burglary at the State Public Defender's Office, 407 Walker St., according to a news release issued by Caruthersville police chief Chris Riggs. Entry was made through the back of the building, and several electronic items were missing.

During their investigation, officers developed a suspect and later reported recovering the items taken in the office burglary at the suspect's residence.

"At least 15 other residential burglaries and thefts in Caruthersville have also been solved as a result of this arrest," Riggs said.

According to the police chief, the burglaries in question date back to March and include residential burglaries, thefts from vehicles and sheds and the theft of at least one dog and one lizard.

A 41-year-old Caruthersville man is in custody facing eight counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree burglary, six counts of felony stealing, five counts of misdemeanor stealing, one count of tampering with a motor vehicle and two counts of felony theft of a credit device. The suspect, whose name was not released pending the filing of formal charges, is being held in the Pemiscot County Jail in lieu of $90,000 bond.

Riggs said more arrests may be made in the case.