Update: Moberly man may face more charges for string of break-ins

A Mid-Missouri man charged with stealing from a local community college may face additional charges for a string of break-ins.

Around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, a security guard at Moberly Area Community College found someone inside the building and called police.

“There was some damage to some offices and damage to the areas that he gained entrance to because they were locked,” Jeff Lashley, the President of Moberly Area Community College said. “And so he had to either break windows or pry things open to get in.”

Officers found Michael Larson, 25, with a bag around his neck containing several items, Moberly Police Chief Russell Tarr said.

“They made a search of the items that they located, and they were consistent with several items that had been reported stolen earlier in the evening,” Tarr said.

Over the last few weeks, there have been about two dozen car break-ins on College Avenue, Hurley Street and Locust Street, Tarr said. There have also been a few burglaries at homes and businesses on Park Avenue and West Carpenter.

Several items in the bag matched reported stolen items from these break-ins.

“There are other charges that are pending, again because it’s still early on in the investigation,” Tarr said. “It’s going to take a little bit to try to determine whether this individual is responsible for any of the other activities that have been previously reported.”

Moberly resident Debbie Thomas said although she has not heard of any burglaries nearby, she makes sure to always lock her house and car doors to prevent theft.

“I do feel safe where I’m at,” Thomas said. “And I am concerned that the increase in crime is happening in Moberly, and I hope that we can do take measures to stop that.”

Randolph County Prosecutor charged Larson with burglary and resisting arrest for breaking into the community college.

Larson has pleaded guilty to burglary and felony stealing three times in the last three years. A warrant was issued for his arrest for state parole violations in July.

Larson is currently being held in the Randolph County Justice Center.His bond is set for $30,000.