Burglary solved; mother, daughter arrested

EAST PRAIRIE -- A mother and daughter from East Prairie face felony charges following a burglary investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

Janet Marie Williams, 53, and Laura Jean Williams, 28, of East Prairie are each charged with second degree burglary and stealing, both class C felonies punishable upon conviction by up to seven years in the Department of Corrections.

According to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore, the investigation began Tuesday when a county resident contacted the Sheriff's Department to report clothing and jewelry stolen from her home.

Laura Williams

Laura Williams

Through an investigation conducted by Moore and Deputy Cory Hutcheson, officers learned several items stolen from the residence were sold at a yard sale hosted by Laura Williams and Janet Williams the week prior.

Based on that information, deputies made contact with several residents who visited the Williams' yard sale, and with their cooperation, deputies were able to return several of the stolen items to their rightful owner, Moore said.

A short time later, Hutcheson located the Williams in East Prairie and arranged for both to be transported to the Sheriff's Department for questioning.

Upon their arrival, the mother and daughter participated in separate videotaped interviews during which deputies developed probable cause to believe both were equally responsible for the burglary.

At that time, Laura Williams and Janet Williams were arrested and booked into the Mississippi County Detention Center.

Moore credited the overwhelming community support for making it possible for deputies to recover the stolen property and quickly bring those responsible to justice.

As of press time, both women remained jailed with bond set at $25,000 each.