East Prairie residents arrested in 'mini crime spree'

SIKESTON - Two East Prairie residents were arrested in connection with a "mini-crime spree."

According to reports from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Joshua James Stone, 23, and James Deloach, 17, were taken into custody by the East Prairie Police Department on unrelated charges. During questioning by officers there, they admitted to being involved in several crimes in East Prairie and in Sikeston.

On July 29 and early July 30, the suspects are believed to have stolen a car from East Prairie and driven it to New Madrid County south of Sikeston, where they abandoned the vehicle then stole another car. They traveled to the southeastern section of Sikeston where the second stolen vehicle was abandoned.

DPS officials reported four vehicles were broken into, one home was entered and one vehicle stolen, all in the Matthew East Acres subdivision on Charles and Ashley streets in Sikeston. During the crime spree, a number of items were reportedly taken from vehicles in Sikeston, including a garage door opener, which the suspects used to gain entry into the resident's home.

The pair then stole a third car and took it back to East Prairie. That vehicle, along with portions of other stolen property from Sikeston, were recovered in East Prairie.

Detectives with DPS interviewed the suspects and they were retained in custody. All reports have been forwarded to the affected agencies' prosecutors for review and issuance of warrants.

Scott County Prosecutor Paul Boyd has issued warrants on both suspects for first degree burglary and tampering with a motor vehicle. Judge David Mann has set bond at $25,000 each and Stone and Deloach remain in custody in the Scott County Jail.

Officials in New Madrid and Mississippi counties are seeking additional charges in connection with the incidents.