AUXVASSE -Two individuals were arrested Wednesday in connection with recent storage unit thefts, said Lt. Curtis Hall of the Callaway County Sheriff's Office.
Continuing a months-long investigation involving these rental units across the county, a state trooper located a suspect vehicle after an image of it was distributed to local law enforcement officers.
The trooper found the vehicle at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday west of Mexico in Audrain County and made contact with the driver, 58-year-old Joseph Bailey, of Auxvasse. Hall said in a press release that multiple items reported stolen were found in the vehicle, and Bailey was arrested and taken to the Callaway County Jail.
Simultaneously, deputies had responded to a residence in the 800 block of South Main Street in Auxvasse where a second suspect, Stacey Bailey, 35, was arrested. Deputies searched the residence and found more stolen property and a stolen vehicle.
Joseph Bailey was charged for probable cause felony offenses: burglary, stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle. On Thursday, he was being held with no bond pending a court bond hearing.
Stacey Bailey remains in custody at the jail for probable cause offenses of burglary, stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle. Stacey Bailey is being held on a court set bond of $13,500.
The Callaway County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation into the aforementioned theft offenses, in conjunction with the Fulton Police Department, the Holts Summit Police Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol. Five arrests have now been made and deputies expect to make further arrests as the investigation continues.
Earlier this week, law officers recommended people check their storage units to make sure they are secure. If items are stolen, they need to make reports immediately.