Suspect in Kinder car theft case waives preliminary hearing

A Cape Girardeau man suspected of stealing and setting fire to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's campaign vehicle was in court Thursday.

Adam D. Cromer, 20, was bound over for his arraignment, slated for May 31, after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court. Judge William Syler will hear the case.

Cromer and Jacob She­pard, 18, also of Cape Girardeau, have been charged with stealing a motor vehicle, first-degree tampering and second-degree attempted burglary. Cromer was being held on a $20,000 surety bond, Shepard on a $25,000 bond. Shepard is expected to appear in court before Judge Scott Thomsen on June 28.

Police say a Ford Flex, registered to Friends of Peter Kinder, was found torched and abandoned north of the city limits on Highway 177 early April 26.

The suspects are accused of stealing the vehicle from Kinder's residence in Cape Girardeau. Authorities have said the two backed the vehicle into Shooter's Gun Shop. Nothing was stolen from the business, a store manager has said.