Lilbourn man jailed for role in local burglaries

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A Lilbourn, Mo., man is in custody in connection with recent burglaries in New Madrid and Portageville.

New Madrid Police arrested Kyle Lee Woods, 22, following a traffic stop Tuesday in New Madrid. Woods is charged with stealing and burglary.

According to New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson, Woods became a suspect after selling some of the items taken during burglaries at two New Madrid businesses on the night of Jan. 30. Although Higgerson did not name the businesses, he noted that the missing items were agriculture-related.

During an earlier traffic stop, Higgerson said a pair of bolt cutters was recovered from Woods’ vehicle. The bolt cutters were sent to the Missouri Highway Patrol’s crime lab along with a chain cut at the scene of the burglaries.

“The crime lab was able to examine the grooves on the bolt cutters and the chain. … They said that tool made that mark. A tool’s mark can be just as definitive as a fingerprint,” Higgerson explained.

The police chief estimated about 50 percent of the missing items were recovered. He added officers are continuing their investigation with other arrests pending.

“We are fortunate to have access to the Highway Patrol’s crime lab,” Higgerson said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to identify a suspect.”

Woods faces additional charges for his alleged involvement in a burglary in Portageville.

According to Portageville Police Chief Ronnie Adams, during the early morning hours on Tuesday, a theft occurred at Wood’s Lumber Company where approximately $1,600 worth of building materials including shingles, plywood and two-by-fours were reported stolen.

“Officers with the Portageville Police Department began reviewing video surveillance footage from nearby businesses,” Adams said. “Footage from one business showed a white male driving an ATV four wheeler pulling a large dove tail trailer, pulling into the back lot of the business and loading two wooden pallets onto the trailer and drive away.”

Footage from another camera angle showed a clear image of the suspect’s face.

With the help of New Madrid Police Department, officers were able to identify Woods as the suspect.

Sgt. Chris Rudd, an investigator with the Portageville Police Department went to Pemiscot County and interviewed Woods.

“During the interview, Woods admitted to taking the items and told Sgt. Rudd where the items could be located,” Adams said.

Officer Corey Sisk and Adams located the items along with the ATV and trailer on an outer road just north of Portageville, behind an old farm shed and equipment.

After further investigation, Adams said it was discovered the trailer was stolen from another local business in Portageville and the ATV is believed to be stolen from the Sikeston area. The building material was returned to Woods Lumber Company, and the trailer was returned to the owner, Adams said.

“I would like to thank the New Madrid Police Department for their assistance in this investigation,” Adams said.

According to online court records, Woods’ bond for the New Madrid charges is set at $15,000, and formal charges are pending for the Portageville incident. Woods is currently being held at the Pemiscot County Justice Center.