Benton men accused of stealing car, other items from neighbor's home

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in Tuesday’s edition and contained several errors. We are republishing the story in its entirety to correct the record. Of the mistakes, one was a source error.

The New Madrid County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department didn’t need much time to track down a stolen car from Benton, Missouri.

A victim reported her 2001 Mercury Sable, an assortment of prescription medication worth $1,000 including Xanax, jewelry, a flat-screen TV, purse and credit cards stolen after a break-in at 10:45 a.m. Sunday in the 3600 block of Highway 77, according to the probable-cause report from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department.

At noon, New Madrid County sheriff’s deputies had found the stolen vehicle parked at a residence in New Madrid, Missouri, belonging to the mother of one of the suspects, according to the report. Jeremy Christopher Griffin, 28, and Jeffrey Allen Bunch Jr., 28, both of Benton, were charged with felony counts of tampering with a motor vehicle, second-degree burglary, stealing, stealing a credit device, stealing a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

When Griffin was arrested at the house in New Madrid, the victim’s credit card was found in his pocket. The TV was in the back seat of the car, and some of the medication was found in the glove compartment, according to the report.

Bunch’s mother told officers Griffin had come back carrying jewelry boxes, according to the report. Officers found a large amount of jewelry and prescription medication in the house, the report stated.

Bunch and Griffin’s Benton address is across the street from the victim; officers found Bunch in New Madrid and questioned him about the jewelry found in his mother’s residence, according to the report.

Bunch said he found the victim’s car sitting in the driveway that morning, assumed it was driven by Griffin, then later drove Griffin to New Madrid without asking Griffin where he got the car, the report stated.

Bunch said Griffin had a bag when he entered the vehicle and told Bunch he had prescription medication to sell, according to the report. He also noticed Griffin was wearing a gold bracelet and gold Army ring but did not ask where he got them.

Bunch said he left his house in Benton because he always gets nervous when he sees patrol cars, the report stated. Bunch had left with a friend who said Bunch threw a chain saw out his car window into a ditch while driving down County Road 525. Officers found the saw and determined it belonged to the victim.

Griffin told officers Bunch had obtained the stolen vehicle, the report stated. Shoe prints at the victim’s house matched Bunch’s work boots. Bunch and Griffin gave officers consent to search their residence and found a methamphetamine pipe and several pieces of jewelry, including the gold Army ring.

Griffin and Bunch’s bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

3600 Highway 77, Benton, Mo.