Festus Police have arrested a 30-year-old man and are looking for three others suspects in connection with the theft of two vehicles from Pippin Towing & Recovery. The stolen vehicles included a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2016 Kia Optima, Chief Tim Lewis said.
He said surveillance footage showed a blue car pull up next to the business, 1417 Hwy. 67, at about 7:50 p.m. Dec. 17. Then, several people got out of the car and climbed over the fence, the report said.
Once inside, the suspects somehow started a 2014 Chrysler van and used it to crash through and open the entrance gate. Then, the suspects started the Malibu and Optima and drove away in them, Lewis said.
He said the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spotted the 30-year-old man driving the Malibu and arrested him at about 7:10 a.m. Dec. 20.
“They arrested him in Festus. He is being held at Jefferson County Jail on outstanding warrants out of Franklin County,” Lewis said.
As of Dec. 21, authorities were still looking for the other suspects, he said.
Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to call Festus Police at 636-937-3646.