BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said two area men are in custody and charged regarding rural thefts.
James H. Daniels II (31) Bell City is charged with two counts of 2nd degree burglary, two counts of stealing, and two counts of property damage.
Grant Daniels (26) Benton is charged with two counts of 2nd degree burglary, two counts of stealing, two counts of property damage, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Walter said his office received a report of a farm machine shop burglary and theft Wednesday morning east of Benton. Multiple tools were stolen along with a utility trailer.
Wednesday afternoon another machine shop burglary was reported in the same general area but nothing was reported missing.
Late Wednesday evening rural crimes investigator Barry Morgan was contacted when the suspect/s returned to the scene of the second incident and attempted to steal tools. The owner of the property, thinking the suspects would return, was watching the building. The suspects fled from the area, leaving behind tools they just removed from the machine shop in a bag that belonged to the suspects.
A vehicle description provided by the victim, along with an article in the tool bag led Morgan to the location of the suspects who were still in possession of the burglar tools.
Walter said the majority of the stolen property including the utility trailer, has been recovered.
Walter said rural crimes of this nature are very difficult to solve because of the geographical area where they occur. The farming community working closely with our rural crimes investigator has made us much more successful.
James and Grant Daniels both remain in custody at the Scott County Jail. Bond has been set at $1,500 cash each.
