Cole Co. man charged after apparently stealing from cars in Jefferson City

A Cole County man was charged in July after allegedly stealing from multiple cars on Woodlander Road in Jefferson City.

30-year-old Matthew Baim is charged with stealing more than $500, stealing a credit card, and tampering with physical evidence.

A Jefferson City Police officer pulled over Baim on July 19 and saw a wallet containing a Missouri ID and credit cards belonging to one of the victims.

Baim’s girlfriend was in the passenger seat when officers pulled him over, and told police she saw him go into the unlocked cars and take items out.

She told police after the traffic stop, she took some of items and put them in a trash bin.

ID cards and credit cards belonging to some of the victims were found inside the trash can and in the car.

Court documents said Baim called his girlfriend from the Cole County Jail and told her to “detail that van.”

Baim has several other prior convictions for theft related crimes.