Boone County uses social media to find stolen property owners
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Boone County Sheriff's Office is looking for victims of holiday-season thefts, posting multiple photos of stolen property this week in hopes of finding its owners.
The sheriff's office Facebook page posted 11 photos that showed a range of hardware tools and a trailer. Various people were in the comment section of the post thanking the office for its work.
A Harrisburg man has been charged with felony burglary and stealing in two separate cases. Dennis J. McMahan, 41, was also charged with motor vehicle theft in a separate case. He was in the Boone County Jail on Thursday with cash bonds in each case.
Sheriff's office Capt. Brian Leer said victims of the stolen items saw their items being sold on Facebook. He didn't know how much the property was worth. Investigators tied the thefts to McMahan after one of his "associates" listed property for sale on Facebook and victims saw it, Leer said.
Boone County Deputy Brant Gorden said carving your name, a serial number or proof of purchase on the items can help get your stuff back. He also suggests that if you buy an item and find out it's stolen, let authorities know.
"It's something that can go a long way in their favor," Gorden said. "I mean if they're calling us and saying look I bought this item online. It's come out now that it's a stolen item. It goes a long way in their favor to contact us."
Leer said the sheriff's office has several items in thefts reported to the Columbia Police Department, sheriff's office and the Centralia Police Department.
The Boone County Sheriff Office asks anyone who can identify the property to call Boone County Joint Communications at 311 or 573-442-6131 or the sheriff's office at 573-875-1111.
Gorden said the sheriff's office received numerous calls about the items. However, owners will need to show proof of ownership, such as a police case number.
McMahan is set to appear in court for a bond hearing Wednesday.
