Two Hartsburg men charged after allegedly pushing babysitter, stealing gun and $12,000 worth of vape devices
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two Hartsburg men have been charged with first-degree burglary and stealing a gun after forcing their way into a Columbia residence on Saturday, according to court documents.
Justin Lee Hudson, 27, and Tanner James McKee, 26, are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. An initial court appearance for both men was set for Tuesday.
Boone County Joint Communications received a report that a burglary was occurring at a redacted address in Columbia, according to the probable cause statement. An alleged victim told law enforcement that they were babysitting at the residence when Hudson knocked on the door.
Hudson allegedly asked about mowing the yard and the babysitter said she wasn’t interested and closed the door, according to the statement. Hudson then allegedly came back to the front door, the babysitter opened the door and Hudson forced his way into the house by pushing the babysitter back from the doorway, documents state. Hudson allegedly kept pushing her and prevented her from leaving the living room.
McKee then came in behind Hudson and the babysitter attempted to hit him, the statement says. The babysitter was then pushed by Hudson and fell.
Hudson allegedly told McKee, “it’s downstairs,” according to the probable cause statement. The resident of the house told law enforcement that a gun was missing.
A witness in the area allegedly heard the babysitter yell because of the robbery, documents state. The witness said she saw two men running around the east side of the house, and then was able to take photos of them while they got into a car, the statement says.
Law enforcement looked at security footage and saw the two men allegedly take a tote from the house, and they allegedly dropped 130 THC vape devices worth around $7,800. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle near Tom Bass Road and East Meyer Industrial Boulevard, where police allegedly found 204 THC vape devices valued at $12,240, according to the probable cause statement.
Hudson allegedly told police that they threw the gun near Bear Creek Nature Area off of North Garth Avenue. A police K-9 found the gun at the same sport Hudson told law enforcement it would be, according to the probable cause statement.
