Two men accused of burglarizing missing Monroe County woman’s home
MONROE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two men face multiple charges after allegedly breaking into the home of a missing Monroe County woman.
Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Bross filed charges against John Conde and Joshua McNabb earlier this month. Conde and McNabb are each charged with first-degree burglary, six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony stealing.
According to a probable cause statement, the two men burglarized Hayes' home last year between May 1 and June 30.
Hayes was reported missing Dec. 17 and has yet to be found. Monroe County Sheriff Joe Colston said Tuesday that he couldn't provide any new information about her disappearance but said it was an ongoing investigation. As of Wednesday, authorities have not linked Conde nor McNabb to Hayes' disappearance.
According to court documents, troopers interviewed Conde on Dec. 19. He reportedly told investigators he and McNabb broke into Hayes' home in Holliday five different times. Conde said he and McNabb started hunting on Hayes' property and that McNabb became 'obsessed' with owning some of Hayes' land. Conde said the two chatted weekly about the property over the phone.
Conde said that when McNabb decided to start stealing from Hayes once he realized he couldn't buy her property. Conde reportedly told investigators McNabb would take Hayes out to dinner so Conde would have time to steal from her home.
According to court documents, the stolen items included six guns, jewelry, arrowheads and trash bags full of various other items. Conde also admitted to stealing a 16-foot double axle cargo trailer worth $3,800 and keeping it on his property in Hallsville.
Conde said they stopped stealing from Hayes sometime in June when Hayes noticed her gun cabinet was moved. Investigators said Conde admitted to wearing gloves, disguising himself in a painter's suit and turning his phone off to avoid being tracked.
Online court records show Conde was arrested in Boone County on March 11 and McNabb was arrested in Greene County, Ohio on March 16.
The Monroe County Sheriff's office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime control are investigating Hayes' disappearance.
She is described as a white woman, with blond/gray hair, blue eyes. She is approximately 5'2 tall and weighs 86 pounds. Authorities say she was last seen wearing a dark-colored stocking hat and a dark coat with purple sweatpants. A family member last had contact with Hayes on Dec. 16 at her home on Route C.
Authorities said Hayes has dementia. Authorities searched for Hayes on Dec. 17. The search later escalated to a large-scale air and ground search throughout the day Dec. 18. The search included law enforcement, firefighters, volunteers and a Missouri State Highway Patrol aircraft.
Anyone with information about Hayes is asked to call the Monroe County's Sheriff's office at 660-327-4060.
