Two Benton men face felony burglary, theft charges

Monday, February 22, 2016
Jeremy C. Griffin

BENTON, Mo. -- Two Benton men face felony charges after allegedly stealing jewelry, a vehicle, prescription medication and electronics.

Jeremy C. Griffin, 26, and Jeffery A. Bunch Jr., 28, both of Benton, are each charged with felony charges of second degree burglary, three counts of stealing, tampering with a motor vehicle and tampering with physical evidence.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said deputies on Sunday responded to an address outside of Benton for a burglary report where jewelry, prescription medication, electronics, a purse and a motor vehicle were stolen.

Jeffery A. Bunch Jr.

Deputies were later contacted by the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office and New Madrid City Police Department in reference to locating the stolen motor vehicle at a residence in New Madrid City, Walter said. Griffin was located inside the vehicle, and inside the vehicle were the stolen electronics and some of the medication. Griffin also had the victim's credit card in his pocket.

"It was determined that the residence belonged to Bunch's relative. A witness saw Griffin carrying jewelry boxes and other items in the residence. Officers located most of the jewelry and the rest of the prescription medication in the residence," Walter said in a news release.

Bunch returned to the residence and was questioned.

"Bunch said he found the vehicle sitting in his driveway and assumed Griffin had driven it there. Bunch and Griffin went to New Madrid to attempt to sell the medication. Bunch said Griffin was wearing a gold bracelet and Army ring but did not know where Griffin received them," Walter said.

A witness said Bunch drove down a county road and threw a chainsaw and other items out of the car window when Bunch saw patrol vehicles at the victim's residence. Deputies later located the chainsaw in a ditch, and the victim identified the chainsaw as being stolen from her garage, Walter said.

Bunch and Griffin gave deputies permission to search their residence, and several pieces of jewelry were located in Griffin's bedroom.

"The Scott County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office and New Madrid Police Department with their assistance during this investigation," Walter said.

Bunch and Griffin were transported to the Scott County Jail, where they remain in custody with bond set at $25,000 cash or surety for each.

For this story and more, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: