Columbia woman arrested on suspicion of stealing vehicle, debit cards, checks, other items

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County sheriff's deputies arrested a woman Monday on suspicion of stealing a vehicle and banking documents from more than a dozen people.

Boone County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. Brian Leer said in an email that 28-year-old Jennifer Slates is suspected of taking personal items from at least 14 individuals.

Deputies said Slates was arrested around 6:42 p.m. after a search showed the vehicle she was driving was reported stolen.

Leer said deputies found a backpack belonging to Slates that contained various forms of identification. Debit cards, drivers' licenses, checkbooks, insurance cards and gift cards not belonging to Slates were found inside the bag, Leer said.

Deputies said Slates may have stolen the items while cleaning houses.

Leer's email said drug paraphernalia was also found inside Slate's backpack.

Another man, Michael Wallenfang, 25, of Columbia, was also arrested Monday. Leer said Wallenfang was a passenger in the vehicle and was arrested on suspicion of tampering with a motor vehicle.

Leer said the items seized during the arrests are part of an ongoing investigation. He said deputies have started trying to contact people whose items were recovered.

As of Tuesday morning, Slates was in Boone County Jail custody being held without bond. Online records show Wallenfang bonded out of the jail.

No attorney was listed for Slates in online court records. Information about Wallenfang's case was not available.