Mo. man charged with receiving stolen fishing gear

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri man is facing up to seven years in prison for receiving stolen fishing gear worth tens of thousand of dollars.

The Missouri State Water Patrol said Monday that Keith A. Clark of Peculiar, Mo., was arrested July 11 and charged with a felony for receiving property stolen during fishing tournaments at the Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake and Truman Reservoir.

Water Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jerry Callahan said that so far, Clark only has been charged with one count for receiving the stolen equipment. But Callahan said the investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible against Clark and other suspects.

Police said Clark is involved in thefts April 26 and May 30 at the Lake of the Ozarks; April 4, April 5, June 25 and June 26 on Table Rock Lake; and July 9 and July 10 on Truman Reservoir.

Messages left at Clark's residence in Peculiar and with his Prairie Village, Kan., attorney were not immediately returned Monday. A hearing for Clark has been scheduled for September in Cass County, where he lives.

Fishing gear worth tens of thousands of dollars lays spread out Monday over a Missouri State Water Patrol warehouse floor in Jefferson City, Mo. Officials believe the property, which includes rods, reels, electronic equipment, life vests, tackle boxes and lures, was stolen earlier this year during fishing tournaments at the Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake and the Truman Reservoir. (KELLEY McCALL ~ Associated Press)

Callahan said the Water Patrol is working with surrounding states to determine whether Clark can be linked to other fishing equipment thefts. The recovered equipment is being processed, and the Water Patrol is contacting its owners.

"There's a lot of stuff that we've been processing and working through," Callahan said.

Table Rock Lake is in southern Missouri west of Branson, near the Arkansas border. Truman Reservoir and the Lake of the Ozarks are connected and stretch across the western and central parts of the state. The Lake of the Ozarks is a popular vacation destination that attracts tourists from across the Midwest.

The Water Patrol said Monday the case broke when one angler who claimed to have fishing gear stolen was able to identify equipment that was being sold on the secondary market, which includes garage sales, pawn shops and Internet-based sales.

State officials urge anglers to protect themselves from thieves by keeping records of the serial numbers of electronics and other equipment stored on boats or docks. An inconspicuous but distinct mark on equipment can help police identify stolen gear and make recovery easier. Locked storage containers and lights help prevent thefts.

Those buying used equipment are urged to ask sellers for identifying information, and should be suspicious if sellers refuse to give contact information or sell gear well below market value.