Bond reduced for man charged with Perry County thefts

A St. Mary, Mo., man said to be responsible for all the thefts and burglaries in Perry County this year was granted a reduction in bond Monday by Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary A. Kamp.

Jacob D. Berkbuegler, 20, arrested Sunday and charged with one count of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, four counts of felony stealing and 11 counts of misdemeanor stealing, had his bond reduced from $50,000 to $25,000.

A Perry County dispatcher said he was still in custody Tuesday afternoon.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, Berkbuegler stole miscellaneous high-tech items from nine vehicles and one residence in Altenburg, Mo. The items included cell phones and their accessories, digital cameras, transmitters, iPods and cash. Collectively, the items were valued at more than $2,100.

The affidavit indicates Berkbuegler also stole items from two vehicles in Frohna, Mo., including an MP3 player, an iPod Touch and a digital camera. Those items were valued by officers at around $800.

In a Jan. 19 interview with Perry County deputy Jason L. Klaus, Berkbuegler admitted to stealing items from vehicles and homes in Altenburg and Frohna. All items were found in his girlfriend's vehicle or residence and were believed to be stolen between September and January.

Berkbuegler admitted to stealing from the Altenburg public school on two occasions, gaining entry with a set of keys he found hanging from a doorknob. During the first entry, Berkbuegler told Klaus, he stole cameras and jump drives and during the second entry stole a computer tower and several digital cameras. Items stolen from the school were valued at nearly $1,000.

Many of the items have been returned to their owners, Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said Monday.

Berkbuegler pleaded guilty in July 2006 to misdemeanor assault and has pending charges in Perryville for second-degree burglary and theft.

He's scheduled to appear before a judge March 16 on the city and county charges.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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