Moberly burglary ring busted, businesses still on alert

The Moberly business community remained on alert Tuesday night, despite an arrest in a months-long burglary ring.

Robert Wright, 41, was arrested Friday at his Coates Street home on three burglary charges.

Court documents obtained by ABC 17 News describe his possible involvement in 15 burglaries dating back to March 27. Investigators claimed they found more than 30 possibly stolen items in his home and vehicle after his arrest.

In a post-arrest interview, Wright allegedly told investigators he has a mental health problem and did not remember the crimes until he woke up with money and electronics.

“I just hope he needed the money for a good cause,” said Lynn Schieni. “It’s sad to think somebody would steal somebody else’s money.”

The first reported break in being tied to Wright was at Lynn’s Floral Shop on West Reed Street. Wright is accused of breaking the front door lock and snagging $275 from a cash register.

“We came to work and one of the gals went over to unlock one door and it had been drilled out,” Schieni told ABC 17 News. “I immediately went to the cash register and all the cash was gone.”

Since the burglary, Schnieni has had an alarm system installed. Other businesses named in court documents said they, too, had upgraded locks.

There was no indication Wright had an accomplice in any of the break ins, but businesses said they were still taking extra precautions.

The most recent burglary attributed to Wright happened on October 23 at Great Clips on U.S. 24. Court documents said Wright’s car was identified during the investigation of that burglary and then tied to several others via surveillance video.

Coates was being held Tuesday on $50,000 bond in the Randolph County Jail. A hearing had been set for November 5.