We were hit by professional thieves this past week...

Kerry & Kathy

Kerry & Kathy

Member #007
Location (City)
Fredericktown, Farmington and Viburnum MO
First Name
Kerry
Last Name
Owen
Went to the farm Wednesday night to find that we were cleaned out by professionals driving a dually....and pulling one of my own trailers.

The loss at this point is already over $25,000 taken. One ATV, three air compressors, one large tool cabinet, one smaller tool cabinet, $5,000+ in hand tools, two electric generators, multiple firearms, several hundred rounds of ammunition, a grandfather clock, two trailers, new tractor parts from the tractor I was restoring, a Gerstner Oak tool box and roll around chest, several thousand dollars in lathe and milling machine tooling, six gasoline engines still in their boxes and 12 pages of additional personal property. They even stole a package of AA batteries and a bundle of paper shop towels. But the item I couldn't believe...was a new TOILET that had not yet been installed in the shop.

They also took a crap in our bathroom and did not flush...they pissed in a large 5 gal jug of drinking water, and left two cans of unidentified liquid in the fridge that appear to be urine from two different people. All kinds of DNA evidence...

They broke out two glass door Windows, shop windows and a second story window in the old farmhouse after climbing on a roof to gain entry.

I have met with the Viburnum Police, twice with the Iron Co Sheriffs department and have the Missouri Highway Patrol Rural Crimes Unit scheduled to come down in a week to take DNA samples left by the thieves. Our plans to build a house at the farm are now dead. Kathy is scared to death to go back down. I have been there day and night to try to secure what's left with no AC, no place to sleep and no working bathroom. The reason is that nothing can be moved or disturbed until the MHP shows up.

There are other details that indicate that they will be back to attempt to take more so I have been hoping to be present when they do. They apparently had reconnoitered the property on an ATV after cutting a lock on our South gate. Then they bought a duplicate lock of the same style and brand as the one we have on our primary entry gate. After cutting our lock, they entered the property and locked the gate behind them to avoid being disturbed while they ransacked three separate building that are 1/4 mil apart. When they left they then re-locked the gate with their lock so that from the road the gate appeared normal and undisturbed...but allowed them immediate access at any time.

They also hit two of our neighbors where multiple ATV's were stolen and were caught on a surveillance camera. They were both wearing full camo outfits, gloves, hats and turkey hunting face masks. There was nothing on the tape to identify them.

I am afraid the Southern Cruise is out for this year as all our time will be consumed trying to install concrete blocks at the entrance gate until we can have a large secure steel gate built and set in concrete.

My stomach has been in a knot for the past 48 hrs...and it's not getting any better.

The insurance company also informs me today that much of what was stolen will not be covered by my policy as they deem the quantity and value of tools I had at the shop to be "excesssive"...for a homeowners policy.

Kerry....:mad::mad::mad:
 
Well that just sucks.

Sounds like you'll be getting a new insurance company.

You may want to investigate internet based camera systems for future security.

While you're south, you may consider Kathy pouring over Craigslist and ebay for your items. All of that stuff is only valuable if they can sell it.

Sorry to hear about your problems.
 
Kerry, Sorry to hear about your trouble. It amazes me how these crocks get away with this kind of s**t. Don't let the insurance company get away with anything either hold their feet to the fire and prove in their policy where your not covered. You don't get to tell them their price is to much!

Thinking of you & Kathy
Rick:(
 
Anyway we can help? I'm pretty good at stacking block if you need me to, just let me know
 
Thanks for the offer Tim but the concrete blocks we are talking about weight over a Ton each...

What is frustrating is knowing that they WILL be coming back. Every location they have robbed they have hit at least twice. Yet we can't be there 24/7 and all they need to get in are bolt cutters.

There is too much remaining to move and no where to move it.

The purpose in the concrete blocks is to prevent any travel by truck or trailer over the primary road until we can have a large 4" pipe gate built and installed. We have a remote second access that we can use that goes through a neighbor's entrance road. For someone to come in or out they have to go through their front yard.

I've lost eight pound in the past two days...no appetite and not sleeping. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up from a very bad dream....but it continues.
 
Kerry & Kathy said:
What is frustrating is knowing that they WILL be coming back. Every location they have robbed they have hit at least twice. Yet we can't be there 24/7 and all they need to get in are bolt cutters.
Click to expand...

Kerry:

I agree with Mark, it sucks.

My suggestion is that you wire the building to detonate about 5 lbs of dynamite. Place large signs on each side of the building stating the building will blow up if breached. Their families won't be able to say they weren't warned.

Steve
 
Today has been very productive.

I helps to have friends... particularly one who happens to be an ex-tunnel rat from VN who hires ex-con's in his concrete business. Seems like word gets around...

I have finally determined the names of the two who broke in...what they drive...and where they live. The parent of one of the thieves happes to own....a storage unit business. Surprise...surprise....!

Iron County is attempting to get a search warrant today.
Hopefully this will come to a conclusion within a week.

As much as I would like "country justice" to prevail, I have been specifically told to let law enforcement try to do their job first.

We will see. If not...Plan B.
 
Kerry , Sounds like some good news, I like Tim will help anyway I can just let us know when you need it. I love to hunt!

Rick:D
 
Kerry, that's awful news, but encouraging developments. Hopefully you'll get your property back and the insurance will pay out for the remainder. Our thoughts are with you. I know country justice would be more gratifying in some ways, but you're doing the right thing the right way. Good luck.
 
Update:

The Iron County Judge would not issue a search warrant based on what he considered insufficient "Probable Cause". So...one of the deputies or police officers has to see one of the suspects in possession of one of the stolen items for a search warrant to be issued. :mad:

However we still have DNA evidence yet to be collected from urine and feces left at the scene. But the Mo. Hwy Patrol will not have the Rural Crime Unit on scene for at least a week due to work backlog....possibly even longer That's going to stretch the process out much longer than any of us would like.

Further investigation revealed that one of the suspects is 44 YO and had done five years in prison for burglary... a one year plus multiple 30 day stints in county jail for possession of less than 35 grams, stealing, 2nd deg burglary, possession with intent to distribute, assault...and on and on. Two full pages.

The second suspect is 33...is a drug adict....but no arrest record. He is apparently the "gopher" doing all the actual breaking and entering and other tasks directed by the older suspect.

Both are known to be "heavily armed " as described by the sheriff's deputy. The first suspect also has a record of assault against police officers.

Yesterday I was at both suspects residences watching for any activity or items stolen. The truck of the first suspect was parked in the yard but there was no one observed during the time I was there. However both have been observed using ATV's running hundreds of back roads all over the county and no ATV's were present yesterday.
 
Dan,

The problem with insurance is that they have a $1,000 cap on firearms...a $500 cap on the trailer stolen and a $1500 deductible.

More importantly....imagine if 50% of the contents of your home, garage and basement were removed without your knowledge. Then try to make a list of everything taken by memory. You will remember 80%...if you are lucky, The 20% you can't remember become a financial loss. Then...of the 80% you remember...try to recall the date each item was purchased and what you originally paid for each item. Try to find receipts for tools you purchased 15-20 years ago.

Now add a 5500 sq ft storage building filled to overflow, where the majority of your possessions were packed in unmarked boxes, stacked chest high and stored out of sight. Keep in mind that I owned a machine shop from 1975-1984 where the many tools specialized fixtures and equipment from that business have been stored on pallets and in plastic storage boxes for many years.

ALL items that you cannot recall are a financial loss.... Without pictures, serial numbers, owners manuals, detailed descriptions or other corroborating evidence...it's all gone with no reasonable way to construct an accurate list of all that was stolen.

Although the initial list of what we can identify is over $25,000...the actual loss is perhaps $35,000 - $50,000. Yet insurance will compensate for less than half of the true loss.


Oh...one more observation made yesterday that really points out what low life these guys were:
I had a nearly new Queen size mattress that we replaced with a new King mattress. The queen mattress we securely wrapped in heavy 4 Mil plastic, taped the seams and had it stored on a bed frame in one of the rooms of the old farm house. One of the suspects tore a 6" hole in the plastic covering and then pissed on the mattress leaving a 12" diameter wet spot that still remains wet a week afterwards.... BUT...that urine may be their undoing as we now have DNA that can tie them to the break-in.
 
So, the suspects are convicted felons that the sheriff describes as heavily armed. You may want to remind the local law enforcement that convicted felons are not allowed under any circumstance to be heavily armed - that's probable cause. Additionally, if they are on parole or probation they don't need probable cause.

How about some bait? How about a plan to draw them out - give them something to steal - and catch them in the act - and videotape them. Or a craigslist ad to buy an ATV - specifically your make and model. Look - they're not that smart.

How about get some bolt cutters and head over the the storage lot at 2am and see what doors are ajar. Or just wait them out, follow them around, etc.

Let's think.
 
Update...

Well, It took 13 days from the date the break-in was discovered but my efforts to meet with surrounding county law enforcement paid off.

Got a tip a week ago last Monday that led to a house in Salem MO, then another house, then an "antique mall" and finally the suspects house South of Bixby MO. About 1/3 of the items stolen were located and recovered but most of the high dollar and new items were sold at three different flea markets for $.10 on the dollar. In one case $4900 worth of items were sold for $525 to one individual.

I was present when the first suspect was arrested and when his house was initially searched. Kathy and I were also present the same night when another suspect was arrested for unrelated possession of narcotics with intent to distribute after his home was searched and no stolen items found...but over 35g of pot was hidden in an air duct in his house.

Right now the primary suspect is sitting in Iron Co jail with a $75,000 cash only bond and his wife is in the same jail with a $50,000 cash only bond. They cannot make bail so will remain in jail until their arraignment Sept 20th.

It is still believed that two suspects remain at large....but cannot at this point tie them to our break-in. However, we are making progress.
 
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Great news Kerry. Hopefully the insurance will cover the remaining loss. Hopefully the system will work and no more people will have to go through what you and Kathy have because of these people. Thanks for keeping us updated.
 
Kerry, Glad to hear of the progress, but is there any hope of getting your stuff back that sold at flea markets or is that stuff gone forever (Hope not)

Rick
 
Kerry:

You really should show more compassion for these poor unfortunate souls.

I suggest that you take them a care package full of shoe laces, belts and razor blades. To help pass the time they should read Suicide and Attempted Suicide: Methods and Consequences ISBN-10: 0786704926

Be the humanitarian that we all know you are.

Steve
 
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