Perry County resident assists in arrest of theft suspects

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Perry County woman who witnessed two men reportedly stealing from her barn and shed helped police nab the suspects.

The Perry County Sheriff's Department arrested David L. Hunt, 29, of Scott City, and Thomas C. Kinney, 28, of Cape Girardeau, the sheriff's department said in a news release Thursday. Both are charged with felony burglary and theft and were held on $10,000 cash-only bonds at the Perry County Jail.

The sheriff's department received a call from a woman living on Perry County Road 516 at about 11 a.m. Tuesday saying a person she didn't recognize had knocked on her door. When she didn't answer, the man returned to his vehicle and spoke with another man inside, then the two started taking items from her barn and shed, according to the news release.

Thomas Kinney

"She did just what she should have done," Perry County Sheriff Gary J. Schaaf said in the release. "She called us and gave a vehicle description, including license number and a good description of the two men."

The two men left the residence before deputies arrived, but because of the caller's information deputies located the two men before they got out of the county. Copper wire, extension cords and car batteries were recovered.

"If someone had answered the door, they planned to ask if they need any trees trimmed, thereby providing an excuse for their being there. They would then hand out a business card from 'Dave's Tree Service' and move on," Schaaf said.

Pertinent address:

Perry County Road 516, Perryville, MO