Randy Jennings arrested for at least four burglaries
A man linked to at least four burglaries in Columbia is off the streets, charged and behind bars.
Prosecutors charge 47-year-old Randy Jennings with two counts of receiving stolen property, burglary, and resisting arrest.
Police believe he’s hit at least four homes in the past month all across north and central Columbia. That includes Jenne Hill Drive. ABC 17 News reported that crime and talked to neighbors about it earlier in May.
Police tell us they were able to find enough evidence to link him to some robberies, but they didn’t know where he was. They found him sitting in a car in central Columbia. But when they tried to talk to him, he took off running but was quickly caught.
Police tell us the car Jennings was found in on Lynn Street was filled with items he had stolen in the past month.
They found two laptops, a bicycle, and a computer monitor he allegedly stole about 15-minutes earlier. Investigators say they were all reported stolen. But this may not be all that he’s allegedly taken.
“It’s very possible that Jennings could be linked to other burglaries or been involved in there larcenies or burglaries, and we encourage anybody who has any knowledge of that contact the Columbia Police Department or Crime Stoppers,” Officer Joe Bernhard said.
According to court documents, Jennings allegedly stole about $2,900 worth of items. The most expensive happened at Jenne Hill Drive. A $2,000 laptop was taken.
Cops say they’re happy to have Jennings off the street. They say Jennings has had many run-ins with the police department. We looked up his criminal history, and he has a rap sheet several pages long. Investigators believe having him behind bars will prevent many more burglaries from happening and them to solve cases faster.
“Burglars and people who steal multiple times before they’re caught and then we have to put together the pieces to see which crimes they were responsible for,” Bernhard says.
Jennings currently does not have a court date scheduled yet. He’s being held in the Boone County Jail on $80,000 bond.
