Rural Missouri man steals $5,000 worth of construction tools, equipment
WARREN COUNTY, Mo. - A rural Missouri man has been charged with stealing approximately $5,000 worth of tools and equipment from a construction site.
According to the Wright City Police Department's probable cause statement, the theft occurred on Aug. 4 at the Peruque Creek Manor development.
Police said Joseph Howes stole several framing nail guns, staple guns, powered saws, a generator, air compressor, pneumatic tools, and a variety of batteries and chargers.
Surveillance cameras in the area helped investigators identify the vehicle used in the theft, which they connected to Howes. Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department located Howes at his home in Bellflower, Missouri, and served a search warrant.
Deputies recovered most of the stolen equipment and other items.
Police said Howes later confessed during an interrogation and wrote an apology to the victims.
The Warrenton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Howes with stealing - $750 or more. Howes has a counsel status hearing scheduled for Sept. 19.
