Caruthersville man charged in series of burglaries

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A Caruthersville man is charged with a series of burglaries at local churches and businesses.

A burglary was discovered at 7 a.m. Wednesday at the Caruthersville School District's bus barn, located at 15th and Truman streets, and a second reported at 7:50 a.m. at the Loxcreen Co., just south of the bus barn. Both were entered sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to a news release from the Caruthersville Police Department.

During their investigation, officers with the Police Department and the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department received information about a possible suspect, leading to the arrest of the 25-year-old resident. The suspect was taken into custody without incident Wednesday and property from Loxcreen along with property taken during a burglary at the Church of God was recovered.

"As a result of the arrest several burglaries and thefts have been cleared," said City Marshal Chris Riggs.

These include the Methodist Church on Ward Avenue and the Old Rock Bottom Store on Truman both reporting burglaries on Dec 7 and the Church of God on Carleton, discovered burglarized on Dec. 8, as well as others.

"This investigation is still ongoing. Other arrests may be forthcoming," Riggs said.

The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending the formal filing of charges, is facing four counts of second degree burglary, two counts of felony stealing and three counts of property damage. He is being held in the Pemiscot County Jail.