Two Canalou men charged in Scott County burglary

BENTON, Mo. -- Two New Madrid County residents were charged with felony stealing and burglary in Scott County on Friday following an investigation of a Sept. 22 break-in at the General Watkins Conservation Area near Morley, Mo.

Joseph T. Johnson, 33, and Donald E. Taul, 37, both of Canalou, Mo., are accused of breaking in a storage shed at the conservation area and stealing $10,000 worth of equipment, including a Polaris ATV, a flatbed trailer, an air compressor, a generator, chain saws, string trimmers, various power tools and a tree stand. The items have since been recovered and returned.

Johnson is in custody in New Madrid County, while Taul is still at large. Bond for Johnson has been set at $25,000.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said the investigation is not related to another investigation into the theft of another ATV from Beggs Family Farm near Blodgett, Mo. The stolen ATV in that case has been recovered.

Walter said ATV thefts are coming this time of year with the approach of deer season.