Missouri State Water Patrol Recovers Many Items Stolen in Fishing Tournament Theft Cases
The Missouri State Water Patrol, while investigating numerous thefts tied to fishing tournaments on Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake and Truman Reservoir, has recovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen fishing equipment. Based on investigations of recent thefts, the Water Patrol served a search warrant on July 11, 2009 in Cass County at the residence of Keith A. Clark. The Water Patrol was assisted by the Cass County Sheriff's Department. Clark was taken into custody and a warrant was issued in Cass County on a felony charge for receiving stolen property.
The recovered stolen property has been linked to numerous thefts. Among those are thefts from:
§ Lake of the Ozarks, April 26 at the 8 mile mark and May 30 at the 2 mile mark of the Grand Glaize Arm
§ Table Rock Lake, April 4 and 5 near point 7 and June 25 and 26 near point 10
§ Truman Reservoir, July 9 and 10
The Water Patrol expects the property recovered to be associated with additional theft cases in Missouri and surrounding states as the investigation continues. The Water Patrol is in the process of identifying and contacting the owners of the recovered property.
Gov. Jay Nixon said, "I applaud the efforts of the Missouri State Water Patrol in this investigation. As an angler myself, I'm sure the sportsmen who'll now have their gear returned are glad to know that the Water Patrol pursued this case."
A major break in this case came as the result of a theft victim who was able to positively identify items belonging to him that were being sold in secondary markets. The secondary market for fishing tackle consists of garage sales, pawn shops, internet sales, classified ads and equipment swap meets.
During the course of this investigation numerous officers have been involved in the investigation and in processing evidence. The Missouri State Water Patrol wishes to thank the following individuals and agencies that continue to provide assistance during the investigation: Missouri State Highway Patrol Computer Forensics Unit; Sheriff Dwight Diehl and Sgt. Steve Whitmore, Cass County Sheriff's Department; Prosecutor Teresa Hensley and Assistant Prosecutor Monica Premrose, Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The discovery and arrest in this case would not have been possible without the support of these cooperating agencies. If members of other agencies or members of the public have additional information that might be associated with this investigation, please contact Sergeant Jay Pragman, Director of the Criminal Investigations Unit for the Missouri State Water Patrol.
The Water Patrol reminds fishermen and boat owners to document and record the serial numbers of electronics and other equipment stored on boats or docks. Locked storage compartments and lighting can discourage would be thieves. Owners should also mark equipment in an inconspicuous manner so that it can be identified and connected to them in case of a theft. Anytime you purchase used equipment you should have identifying information for the seller. Buyers should be suspicious of any seller who hesitates to supply contact information or items that are priced considerably below fair market value.
Anonymous crime tips may be submitted to the Water Patrol by phone or by the Departments website at: http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Investigations/default
The recovered stolen property has been linked to numerous thefts. Among those are thefts from:
§ Lake of the Ozarks, April 26 at the 8 mile mark and May 30 at the 2 mile mark of the Grand Glaize Arm
§ Table Rock Lake, April 4 and 5 near point 7 and June 25 and 26 near point 10
§ Truman Reservoir, July 9 and 10
The Water Patrol expects the property recovered to be associated with additional theft cases in Missouri and surrounding states as the investigation continues. The Water Patrol is in the process of identifying and contacting the owners of the recovered property.
Gov. Jay Nixon said, "I applaud the efforts of the Missouri State Water Patrol in this investigation. As an angler myself, I'm sure the sportsmen who'll now have their gear returned are glad to know that the Water Patrol pursued this case."
A major break in this case came as the result of a theft victim who was able to positively identify items belonging to him that were being sold in secondary markets. The secondary market for fishing tackle consists of garage sales, pawn shops, internet sales, classified ads and equipment swap meets.
During the course of this investigation numerous officers have been involved in the investigation and in processing evidence. The Missouri State Water Patrol wishes to thank the following individuals and agencies that continue to provide assistance during the investigation: Missouri State Highway Patrol Computer Forensics Unit; Sheriff Dwight Diehl and Sgt. Steve Whitmore, Cass County Sheriff's Department; Prosecutor Teresa Hensley and Assistant Prosecutor Monica Premrose, Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The discovery and arrest in this case would not have been possible without the support of these cooperating agencies. If members of other agencies or members of the public have additional information that might be associated with this investigation, please contact Sergeant Jay Pragman, Director of the Criminal Investigations Unit for the Missouri State Water Patrol.
The Water Patrol reminds fishermen and boat owners to document and record the serial numbers of electronics and other equipment stored on boats or docks. Locked storage compartments and lighting can discourage would be thieves. Owners should also mark equipment in an inconspicuous manner so that it can be identified and connected to them in case of a theft. Anytime you purchase used equipment you should have identifying information for the seller. Buyers should be suspicious of any seller who hesitates to supply contact information or items that are priced considerably below fair market value.
Anonymous crime tips may be submitted to the Water Patrol by phone or by the Departments website at: http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Investigations/default