Man accused of stealing gun from MSHP vehicle in Ashland arrested, charged
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
One of three men accused of stealing guns from law enforcement and breaking into several vehicles in Ashland has been arrested.
Jamarie Young Johnson, 19, of Columbia, was charged on Friday with first-degree burglary, four counts of stealing a gun, three counts of first-degree property damage and misdemeanor stealing. He is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail.
According to the probable cause statement, a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper had at least one gun, a ballistic vest and three rifle magazines containing ammunition stolen from his patrol vehicle on Aug. 24. The vehicle was parked in his driveway in Ashland and the right, rear passenger window was smashed in, the statement says.
The trooper’s neighbor had video of the break-in and gave the footage to law enforcement. The video allegedly shows three suspects wearing face coverings get out of a white SUV and walking towards the trooper’s driveway, the statement says.
A trooper working the case contacted an Ashland police officer, who said the department was also working a similar case. The Columbia Police Department and Boone County Sheriff’s Office also told MSHP they were working similar cases.
The statement says CPD sent MSHP several videos and photos with the same vehicle and suspects. Holts Summit police also had reports of break-ins on Thursday, the statement says. HSPD had photos of a 2007 Acura MDX. The front, driver side had damage, according to the statement, as well as a luggage rack and a heavily tinted license plate.
CPD located the vehicle on Thursday in the 1400 block of East Business Loop 70. The probable cause statement says that during that stop, an Ashland police officer took Johnson into custody. The officer told MSHP that Johnson allegedly confirmed he was present during a number of thefts in Ashland, including at an MSHP trooper’s residence, the statement says.
A Jefferson City police spokesman told ABC 17 News last week that one of its vehicles was also damaged in Ashland and that equipment was stolen from the vehicle.
