Two accused of taking items worth more than $15,000 in Columbia burglary

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors have charged two people accused of stealing thousands of dollars in property during a January burglary in Columbia.

Columbia police say two people were arrested and booked into the county jail on suspicion of a January burglary.

Police department spokesman Jeff Pitts said in an email Friday morning that Kelly L. Thornton, 38, and Devonte Prendergast, 26, both of Columbia were arrested on suspicion of multiple felony charges.

Officers responded to a residence in the 1900 block of Juniper Drive around 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 on a report of residential burglary.

A probable cause statement filed in Prendergast's case says someone broke out a window in the duplex's back door and took nearly $16,000 worth of property including a TV, a laptop and a camera. Investigators tied Prendergast and Thornton to the case after finding the TV had been sold to a Jefferson City pawn shop, according to the statement.

Investigators said they also found a gun with its serial number removed, a separate stolen handgun connected to a New Year's Eve burglary on Rolling Rock Drive and marijuana while searching Thornton and Prendergast's home.

Prosecutors charged Prendergast and Thornton each with second-degree burglary, felony stealing and two counts of unlawful possession of a gun.

Thornton posted bond and was released. Prendergast is now in the custody of the state Department of Corrections, according to online court records.