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A multi-jurisdictional investigation into the theft of three all-terrain vehicles from the lot of a local dealer in early January has led police to believe the theft was part of a larger crime ring operating across the state.
“We don’t know what they are doing with them, choping them or selling them or what, but they are trying to get their hands on as many as possible,” Rolla Police Det. Derrick Dillon said.
Dillon said the three suspects — who will not be named until formal charges are filed — appear to have stolen ATVs, motorcycles and Jeeps from multiple locations throughout the state, including Springfield and Dent County.
“I am really excited to have suspects in this case,” Dillon said, “because this is a case that we really had very little to go on.”
Dillon was promoted to the detective division two months ago, and said this was his first large, complex assignment.
One of the first leads in the case was the recovery of two of the stolen ATVs from the Rolla dealership.
According to Dillon, the first one was found in Salem.
“It was actually driven from the dealer lot on Highway 63 to Salem and left at the hospital there,” Dillon said, adding the axel had been broken. A Jeep was stolen from the lot of the hospital during the same time frame.
The second recovered four-wheeler was found in a wooded area behind a home in a southeastern Rolla neighborhood.
Dillon said the department applied for warrants on three suspects Wednesday and hopes to have them arrested soon.
As of Wednesday, one suspect was in custody on other charges and Dillon had the opportunity to interview that suspect.
Other departments assisting with the investigation — and who may file additional charges— include the Springfield Police Department, Salem Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A multi-jurisdictional investigation into the theft of three all-terrain vehicles from the lot of a local dealer in early January has led police to believe the theft was part of a larger crime ring operating across the state.
“We don’t know what they are doing with them, choping them or selling them or what, but they are trying to get their hands on as many as possible,” Rolla Police Det. Derrick Dillon said.
Dillon said the three suspects — who will not be named until formal charges are filed — appear to have stolen ATVs, motorcycles and Jeeps from multiple locations throughout the state, including Springfield and Dent County.
“I am really excited to have suspects in this case,” Dillon said, “because this is a case that we really had very little to go on.”
Dillon was promoted to the detective division two months ago, and said this was his first large, complex assignment.
One of the first leads in the case was the recovery of two of the stolen ATVs from the Rolla dealership.
According to Dillon, the first one was found in Salem.
“It was actually driven from the dealer lot on Highway 63 to Salem and left at the hospital there,” Dillon said, adding the axel had been broken. A Jeep was stolen from the lot of the hospital during the same time frame.
The second recovered four-wheeler was found in a wooded area behind a home in a southeastern Rolla neighborhood.
Dillon said the department applied for warrants on three suspects Wednesday and hopes to have them arrested soon.
As of Wednesday, one suspect was in custody on other charges and Dillon had the opportunity to interview that suspect.
Other departments assisting with the investigation — and who may file additional charges— include the Springfield Police Department, Salem Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
