MACON, CHARITON, RANDOLPH COUNTIES, MO. -- Investigators in northeast and north central Missouri think they've solved a string of burglaries in three counties with three recent arrests.
The three suspects are accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes and alcohol from at least eight different businesses in Macon, Randolph and Chariton Counties.
"Alcohol and cigarettes were the main items. I mean, there were other things. There was some cash that they took, and there are other things, but alcohol and cigarettes. With the big jump that the cigarette prices just took, we were expecting to see some of those kind of thefts, and it didn't take long for it to happen," said Chief Deputy Jeff Vogan from the Macon County Sheriff’s Department.
Charged in the case are Robert Clickner, 21, of Cairo, and Moberly residents, Jeffrey Fugate, 18, and Mariah Hinsley, 20.
All three face Macon County charges of two counts of 2nd-degree burglary and two counts of stealing.
The Randolph County charges are as follow: Clickner is charged with burglary, property damage, receiving stolen property and two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle; Fugate is charged with burglary and stealing; Hinsley is charged with two counts of burglary as well as stealing and property damage.
"All the places they hit were very similar. There were no surveillance cameras, no alarms, very rural, and they would just simply pry the doors open and go in and fill up trash cans with merchandise," said Vogan.
Vogan told KTVO investigators searched a storage unit in Moberly late Sunday night and found a large amount of stolen property.
Authorities allege the three were selling the stolen cigarettes on the street in Moberly for $15 a carton.
The suspects are being held at the Randolph County Justice Center.
The case was investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Chariton County Sheriff’s Department and Moberly Police Department.
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