Paroled 'serial burglar' accused of 30 burglaries in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A paroled "serial burglar" allegedly responsible more than 30 recent burglaries was arrested Thursday at the home of his latest victim, authorities say.

David Wayne Guthrie, 40, of Rombauer was arrested around 10 a.m. as he reportedly attempted to flee a home in the 800 block of North Riverview.

Guthrie has given information linking himself to more than 30 burglaries occurring in Poplar Bluff in the last three to four months, with stolen property totaling more than $50,000, according to law enforcement.

He has been booked at Butler County jail on a parole violation pending further charges, which may include federal counts.

Guthrie is on parole for breaking into more than 40 area homes in the late '90s, said Police Chief Danny Whiteley. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for those crimes.

The man was developed as a suspect in an increasing number of similar recent burglaries through the coordinated effort of the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff's Department and SEMO Drug Task Force, Whiteley explained.

Victims were not limited to any one area of the city and each case involved an unoccupied home, most often entered through a window, he continued.

"An observant citizen saw an individual that matched Guthrie's description break into a residence on North Riverview," Whiteley said. "We responded in force with a dozen officers. We set up a perimeter and converged on the residence."

Officers say they called to Guthrie to come out of the home. He was captured as he tried to escape through the home's front door, according to reports.

Guthrie was unarmed and there is nothing to indicate he was armed during any previous burglaries, Whiteley said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is now involved in the investigation because as least six firearms were reported stolen from burglarized homes. Guthrie may face federal charges.

All of the property from the Riverview home was recovered, but officers are still wading through information concerning other stolen property, including jewelry and cash, said Det. Mike Elliot. It is believed Guthrie acted alone, he said.

While some of the property stolen from other homes may be recovered, like most crimes, this was done to facilitate a drug habit, said Capt. Jeff Rolland. Guthrie has said the money supported a crack cocaine habit and following one burglary more than $6,000 was spent to purchase drugs, according to police.

"Property traded for illegal drugs changes hands rapidly," Rolland said.

Police look forward to presenting this case to the prosecutor's office and assisting them in removing a serial burglar from the community, he said.

"Mr. Guthrie's past and present activities show he is a career criminal whose preferred crime is burglary," Rolland explained. "We hope these latest charges will put him in the Missouri Department of Corrections for an extended period of time to prevent him from victimizing the good citizens of Poplar Bluff."