Jefferson City man charged with stealing batteries from cars at a dealership

A Jefferson City man has been charged with stealing after officers responded to reports of theft at a Hyundai dealership.

According to the probable cause statement, employees of the Hyundai leadership noticed five new vehicles had batteries stolen from the engine compartment.

Police said each battery was valued at $200.

Video surveillance captured a blue and grey truck on the property while the business was closed, police said.

Days after the incident, a neighboring business found an abandoned blue and grey Ford Ranger in the woods behind the business registered to Bryson Skinner, police said.

Officers said the vehicle appeared to be the same one captured on the surveillance footage.

On Oct. 14, Skinner was taken into custody for a burglary at Goldstar Recycling.

According to the probable cause statement, on Oct. 16, Skinner admitted to stealing the batteries.