Suspect sought in two thefts

NEW MADRID, Mo. - On the morning of Sept. 28, a theft was reported at a local shop building where someone had stolen a refrigerator that was outside next to the building.

The property owner had surveillance footage of the suspect stealing the refrigerator the night before. The suspect was driving a single cab Ford F-250.

A short time after the theft was reported, a New Madrid County deputy found the suspect vehicle parked on Blades Drive in Lilbourn with the refrigerator still in the back. He ran the tags on the truck and found it had been reported stolen from a business in Cape Girardeau.

The truck was towed and secured until a search warrant could be obtained to search inside the vehicle.

That same night, a burglary occurred outside of Lilbourn and it appeared to be the same suspect who had stolen the refrigerator.

Later in the day, New Madrid City officers and New Madrid County deputies served a search warrant at an apartment on Blades Drive in Lilbourn and found evidence of both crimes.

Subsequently, an arrest warrant with a $5,000 cash only bond was issued for George Jones of Lilbourn related to the crimes. Jones is not in custody and is currently being sought on charges of stealing, burglary and property damage.