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Two in custody for East Prairie burglary
EAST PRAIRIE -- Two East Prairie residents have been arrested after a burglary of a residence was reported Sunday.
According to East Prairie Police Chief Danny Lafferty, officer Joleda Douglas responded to a report of a residential burglary at 213 Cranford St. in East Prairie at approximately 10:26 a.m. Sunday. According to the victim, he had received a phone call from a witness who observed two suspicious people entering and leaving the residence. The victim was not home, but his juvenile son was.
Once the victim arrived home, he confirmed that his child was not harmed and then called the police department. Several miscellaneous items were stolen, including a 9-mm semi-automatic gun, various knives and a laptop.
Through the course of the investigations, two suspects were positively identified as Thomas E. "Tommy" Reece, 43, and Jamie Reece, 38. Both suspects were located and taken into custody for burglary in the first degree.
At the time of arrest, a clear plastic baggie containing 16 Xanax packaged in different foils, used needles and several other drug paraphernalia items were located.
Both suspects were interviewed by Lafferty and Douglas and a full confession was disclosed by Jamie Reece. Both suspects were then transferred to the Mississippi County Jail and held on a $75,000 bond.
During an interview at the Mississippi County Jail with Douglas and Mississippi County Sheriff's Deputy Cory Hutcheson, Tommy Reece gave a full confession, admitting to burning some of the evidence at a residence in Anniston. The other items have not been located at this time.
Tommy Reece was subsequently charged with burglary in the first degree, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, and a parole violation is pending. Jamie Reece has been charged on burglary in the first degree, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
"If it wasn't for the witness statements and the officer's keen observations, this case would not have been resolved so quickly," Lafferty said. "We appreciate the support of the community and their willingness to share valuable information with us."
This case has been forwarded to the Mississippi County Prosecutor's Office and is still under investigation. More arrests and charges are pending at this time. If anyone has any information pertaining to this case or leading to the recovery of the evidence including the firearm, please call the East Prairie Police Department at 573-649-3511.