Ashland man charged with stealing, trespassing

A theft alert from a security system led to the arrest of a mid-Missouri man by the Mexico, Missouri, Department of Public Safety.

According to the department, officers were notified by a businesses’ security system of a possible theft in 1300 block of West Liberty Street around 3:56 a.m. Monday.

An officer found Kevin Edward Lea, 44, of Ashland, near the business. Lea was arrested and taken to the Audrain County Jail.

Prosecutors charge Lea with first-degree trespassing and with felony stealing of an item that conducts electricity.

Lea is scheduled to appear in court at the Audrain County Courthouse on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Further investigating revealed Lea was also involved in several vehicle thefts reported in Mexico, Missouri, during the overnight hours of Sunday and Monday.

At last check, formal charges had not been filed in connection with the vehicle thefts.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 800-392-8477 or the Mexico Department of Public Safety at 573-581-2100