A 20-year-old Dittmer man recently was arrested in connection with two stolen vehicles found at a home on Portland Lane in Dittmer. Two other suspects, a 25-year-old Dittmer man and a 19-year-old House Springs woman, are being sought in connection with the case, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
On July 27, deputies were patrolling near the home because of an active warrant involving someone there and because of alleged persistent problems there, and the deputies reportedly found a truck that had been reported stolen in St. Louis. Deputies got permission from the homeowner to search the property and could not find the suspects, so the truck was towed and the deputies left, the report said.
Later the same day, deputies returned to the home, though, and spotted one of the suspects, who ran into the home. While deputies called for assistance and tried to secure the home, they spotted a second suspect – the 20-year-old Dittmer man – walk out of a nearby garage and took him into custody, according to the report.
Deputies again got permission to search the property but could not find the suspect they saw go inside the home. However, they found another stolen vehicle – a motorcycle that had been reported stolen in Nashville, Ill. – and it was towed from the scene, the report said.
The 20-year-old Dittmer man was arrested on outstanding warrants from Franklin County, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will seek charges against him for possession of stolen property, spokesman Grant Bissell said.
As of Aug. 4, the other two suspects had not been located, he added. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.