Kennett police recover $17,000 worth of equipment stolen from country club

KENNETT, Mo. — About $17,000 worth of stolen equipment has been returned to the Kennett Country Club, thanks to the efforts of investigators with the city's police department.

According to detective Lt. Tim Trowbridge of the Kennett Police Department, the Criminal Investigations Division of the police department recently completed an investigation of four burglaries dating back to March.

Trowbridge said that on May 23, officers responded to a burglar alarm at the Kennett Country Club, where three unsolved burglaries had occurred over the last couple of months.

Upon arrival at the country club, officers apprehended Orbon Connie Duke, 54, of Kennett, who was initially charged with one count of second-degree burglary, a felony.

On Monday, investigators conducted a search of Duke's home on Blair Street, where they located several items previously stolen from the golfing society's maintenance shed, including several high-dollar tools, yard equipment and clothing.

According to Trowbridge, after making the discovery, investigators were later able to obtain confessions of the previous three burglaries and learned of the location of the majority of the stolen property.

To retrieve the property, officers had to travel to several locations around Dunklin and Pemiscot counties.

About $17,000 worth of equipment was retrieved and returned to the owners.

Trowbridge indicated that all reports and affidavits regarding the crimes have been filed with the Dunklin County prosecuting attorney for consideration.

Duke is being represented by public defender Brice Joseph Donnelly, who requested Tuesday that his client's $25,000 bond amount be reduced. However, Donnelly's motion was denied by Dunklin County Circuit Court Judge John C. Spielman.

Duke is being held at the Dunklin County Justice Center and is to appear in court at 9 a.m. Monday.

The Kennett Police Department is also asking individuals in the community who may have additional information to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit at 573-888-4196.