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BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reports two Benton, Missouri men arrested for Burglary, Stealing, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, and Tampering with Physical Evidence Charges.

Jeffery A. Bunch Jr. (28) and Jeremy C. Griffin (26) of Benton, Missouri have been charged with the Class C Felony of Burglary 2nd Degree, the Class C Felony of Stealing (x3), the Class C Felony of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, and the Class D Felony of Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Sheriff Walter states that on Sunday, February 21, 2016 deputies responded to an address outside of Benton for a burglary report where jewelry, prescription medication, electronics, a purse, and a motor vehicle were stolen.

Deputies were later contacted by the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office and New Madrid City Police Department reference locating the stolen motor vehicle, at a residence, in New Madrid City. Griffin was located inside the vehicle. Inside the vehicle were the stolen electronics and some of the medication. Griffin also had the victim’s credit card in his pocket.

It was determined that the residence belonged to Bunch’s relative. A witness saw Griffin carrying jewelry boxes and other items in the residence. Officers located most of the jewelry and the rest of the prescription medication in the residence.

Bunch returned to the residence and was questioned. Bunch stated he found the vehicle sitting in his driveway and assumed Griffin had driven it there. Bunch and Griffin went to New Madrid to attempt to sell the medication. Bunch stated Griffin was wearing a gold bracelet and Army ring, but did not know where Griffin received them.

A witness stated Bunch drove down a county road and threw a chainsaw and other items out of the car window when Bunch saw patrol vehicles at the victim’s residence. Deputies later located the chainsaw in a ditch. The victim identified the chainsaw as being stolen from her garage.

Bunch and Griffin gave deputies permission to search their residence. Several pieces of jewelry were located in Griffin’s bedroom.

Bunch and Griffin were arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail pending charges.

Bunch and Griffin remain in custody at the Scott County Jail. Bond was set by the court at $25,000.00 cash or surety for both of them.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office and New Madrid Police Department with their assistance during this investigation