Sikeston couple face burglary, stealing charges

SIKESTON — A Sikeston couple face felony burglary charges after allegedly stealing from their neighbors and attempting to sell them on a social media site.

Anthony Gibson, 43, and Susanne E. Skinner, 44, are each charged with felony second degree burglary, felony first degree property damage; felony stealing $25,000 or more, according to online court records.Gibson is also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

According to the probable cause statement by Scott County Detective Jeremy Gardner, on March 1, Scott County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on Hailey Lane in Sikeston in reference to a burglary. While on scene, a suspect was developed from posts on Facebook Marketplace of some of the items missing from the home, the probable cause said. A sergeant then responded to a residence on the same street to make contact with the suspect identified as Gibson. Gibson told the officer he had bought the items from two people in a red truck with a trailer; Gibson was only able to identify one of the subjects, according to the probable cause. Inside of Gibson’s shop, several items that belonged to the victim were located. At the time, the probable cause said, Gibson agreed to return items to the victim and said that was all of the items he had from the two people.

On March 3, the officer and a deputy made contact with one of the subjects Gibson identified. During the interview, the subject denied any involvement and said a neighbor down the street from the victim’s property might possibly have video of the incident.

On Friday, March 8, Gardner said in his probable cause statement he received the video from the neighbor and was able to develop further information for a search warrant for Gibson’s residence. While executing the search warrant at the Gibson’s residence, several items taken from the victim’s residence were located in the bedroom of Gibson and his girlfriend who was identified as Skinner.

The items located were all identified by the victim as items missing and included dishes, cigar boxes, collectible Nascar items, baby clothing and baby furniture accessories. Several more items including a tanning bed, TV, jewelry and interior doors removed from the victim’s residence were located in Gibson’s shop out back.

Gibson was not home at the time the warrant was served, and Skinner said she had been with Gibson three to four times in the victim’s residence when items were taken. She also said several items were sold by Gibson including a black stove that was taken.

According to the probable cause, the victim estimated the damage to her property exceeded $65,000 and the items stolen from the property totaled $50,000. The victim said all the wiring in the home had been removed including the main wiring to the meter base. Cabinets had been removed and the HVAC system had been taken from inside and outside the home. The drywall from the walls had also been removed to access the copper wiring in the walls.

Gibson was located on Friday by police in Sikeston where he was found with a black bag that contained a black and silver case that contained a substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. He was taken into custody. Skinner was subsequently arrested late Friday.

Bond for Gibson was set at $50,000 cash or surety while bond for Skinner was set at $40,000 cash or surety.

Both Gibson and Skinner were formally arraigned Tuesday, March 12 before 33rd Circuit Judge 5 Zac Horack in Scott County Court and each entered pleas of not guilty. As of Tuesday, they remained in the Scott County Jail at Benton with a bond reduction hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. March 20.