Alleged burglar in custody, charges pending
May 6, 2015
Charlea Mills
One man is in custody in connection with the burglaries of a variety of Barry County businesses over the last month. Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly confirmed that Tommy Eugene Thornton, 43, of Exeter, is in custody with burglary charges pending.
Sheriff Epperly stated, “We’re glad to get these wrapped up because he was really on a rampage there for awhile.”
Thornton was arrested after being stopped for a traffic violation by Exeter Police Chief Morgan Struble. Epperly said, “Once Exeter had him on a traffic stop, I had him bring him in on a 24-hour hold until my investigators could talk to him.”
Epperly confirmed that the department had Thornton as a suspect after reviewing security footage at the burglaries. Currently, the department believes he is connected to the burglaries of MO-ARK livestock auction in Exeter, Sunrise Cafe in Monett and Cassville Discount Grocery.
Epperly said, “Until we get fingerprints and DNA, that’s all we have him for, but we think they’re all connected.” Other businesses that were hit in the last month included Burchfield Tax Service in Cassville, Papa Vape’s in Cassville, Benny’s Auto Repair in Washburn, Country Cooking in Washburn, and Cassville Hardware. Attempted burglaries also took place at Geraldi’s in Cassville and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Shell Knob.
At each of the locations, different things were stolen, including cash and equipment. Epperly said, “It looks like they’ll be able to reliably solve three or four cases at least with this one arrest.”
Still images of the suspect captured from a security camera were posted on the Barry County Sheriff’s Facebook page along with information that the suspect was carrying a backpack with the name “Aaron” on it as well as a Cassville Wildcat patch. Epperly said, “We believe that it is Thornton on that security footage.”
Thornton is currently being held in the Barry County Jail on a 24-hour hold. Epperly confirmed that a probable cause statement has been submitted to Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Boxx’s office and charges should be filed soon. Thornton should be charged with burglary.
Charlea Mills
One man is in custody in connection with the burglaries of a variety of Barry County businesses over the last month. Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly confirmed that Tommy Eugene Thornton, 43, of Exeter, is in custody with burglary charges pending.
Sheriff Epperly stated, “We’re glad to get these wrapped up because he was really on a rampage there for awhile.”
Thornton was arrested after being stopped for a traffic violation by Exeter Police Chief Morgan Struble. Epperly said, “Once Exeter had him on a traffic stop, I had him bring him in on a 24-hour hold until my investigators could talk to him.”
Epperly confirmed that the department had Thornton as a suspect after reviewing security footage at the burglaries. Currently, the department believes he is connected to the burglaries of MO-ARK livestock auction in Exeter, Sunrise Cafe in Monett and Cassville Discount Grocery.
Epperly said, “Until we get fingerprints and DNA, that’s all we have him for, but we think they’re all connected.” Other businesses that were hit in the last month included Burchfield Tax Service in Cassville, Papa Vape’s in Cassville, Benny’s Auto Repair in Washburn, Country Cooking in Washburn, and Cassville Hardware. Attempted burglaries also took place at Geraldi’s in Cassville and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Shell Knob.
At each of the locations, different things were stolen, including cash and equipment. Epperly said, “It looks like they’ll be able to reliably solve three or four cases at least with this one arrest.”
Still images of the suspect captured from a security camera were posted on the Barry County Sheriff’s Facebook page along with information that the suspect was carrying a backpack with the name “Aaron” on it as well as a Cassville Wildcat patch. Epperly said, “We believe that it is Thornton on that security footage.”
Thornton is currently being held in the Barry County Jail on a 24-hour hold. Epperly confirmed that a probable cause statement has been submitted to Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Boxx’s office and charges should be filed soon. Thornton should be charged with burglary.
