String of burglaries could affect three counties

After four burglaries last month, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department fears it may affect people in three mid-Missouri counties.

“A number of homes have been burglarized, including one where a 93-year-old woman was at home, and she encountered a burglar,” detective Tom O’Sullivan told ABC 17 News.

The potentially connected break-ins began September 7 on the 5100 block of Route Z in Boone County. Then, two burglaries within three miles of each other – on Zaring Road on September 26 and Remie Road on October 1.

Wednesday morning, Audrain County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a robbery near Centralia in the southern part of the county. James Schraeder with the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department said the agency is working with Boone County as part of a possible connection.

O”Sullivan said another burglary in August on Davis Road near Hallsville could also be related.

“We’ve gotten calls on a number of suspicious persons in the area, so we’re trying to monitor that situation as closely as we can,” O’Sullivan said.

The burglaries happened in the daytime, O’Sullivan said, and usually entered by breaking through a door. Once, the thief walked in through an unlocked door.

“Secure your home when you’re not there,” O’Sullivan advised. “You always want to try and present your home as being occupied. That can mean leaving your vehicle in the driveway, leaving a radio or television on. Just be on the lookout.”

The burglary on Zaring Road is also close to Callaway County. O’Sullivan said people there should also keep an eye out for suspicious cars in the area.

Several residents in that area told ABC 17 News they have cameras and sensors in driveways to monitor people coming in and out, but the distance between homes makes it difficult to see what happens at a neighbor’s house.