Shortly after getting a call Saturday morning (April 29) about a burglary and car theft in Festus, a police officer spotted the stolen vehicle and arrested the suspect, Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis reports.
At 7:14 a.m., Festus Police got a call that a home in the 700 block of Woodland Road had been burglarized. The victim, an 87-year-old woman, reported that her 2009 Toyota Corolla was missing, as well as credit cards, money and other items from her house, Lewis said.
“At approximately 8:20 a.m., our officer was doing some canvassing, spotted the car and made a traffic stop at Central and Horine (roads),” Lewis said. “A male, 39, of De Soto, was taken into custody and we’re filing for charges.”
The suspect apparently knows the victim, the chief said.
“Evidently, he’d had some kind of relationship with the victim’s daughter,” Lewis said. “It looks like he forced his way in through a door.”
Lewis lauded the arresting officer.
“The officer was very observant,” Lewis said.
He said the suspect was booked and then released pending application for warrants.