Sheriff's dept. issues 4-state wide alert for suspect in thefts at antique malls

The Clinton County (MO) Sheriff's Dept. is attempting to identify a suspect who allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry at a Lathrop, MO, antique mall. The suspect is believed to also have hit other Missouri antique malls in Cass County and Grain Valley, and possibly Callaway County.

According to the department's release, on Friday, April 15, the suspect entered the Enchanted Frog Antique mall and removed one lock from the display case and jimmied the lock on a second case. The suspect made off with $4,500-worth of antique gold and silver jewelry. The suspect was driving a red Chevy Cavalier and was last seen heading east-bound on 116 Hwy. from the scene. License number is unknown.

The suspect appears to be a middle-aged, white man with a slightly receding hairline, dark hair with some gray, wearing glasses. He was wearing a long-sleeve dark blue shirt and a red short-sleeved overshirt, and jeans.

The Sheriff's dept. has issued a four-state wide alert for the suspect. Anyone with information, should contact Sgt. Speiser with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department at 816-539-2156.

Gold & silver thefts at Missouri antique mall

Jewelry, estimated in the thousands, has been reported stolen from the Enchanted Frog Antiques mall, 7950 E. 116 Hwy, in Lathrop, MO.

Joyce Steinbuch, co-owner, estimates that about $4,500-worth of jewelry--mostly rings in sterling or 14k gold, some with good stones--was taken from a dealer's showcase on Friday, April 15.

"He must have had tools on him to get through our three-lock showcase system during open hours," Steinbuch said. "The tape shows that he's monkeying around the locks but you can't see exactly what he's using. You can see his hands full of the merchandise at one point though!"

The Enchanted Frog has a closed-circuit TV security system. Steinbuch filed a report with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. An officer, she said, reviewed several hours of surveillance tapes at her store.

Surveillance tape shows the alleged thief appears to be a middle-aged white man, with brown hair and beard, both with some gray. He was wearing glasses and a long-sleeve blue T-shirt with a short-sleeve red shirt over it. Surveillance tape also shows, Steinbuch said, that the man was driving a red car.

Hard times makes for sticky fingers

We're getting reports about increases of theft in shops and malls. Most shops and malls can't afford elaborate anti-theft systems so the best recourse is to pay attention to your customers, particularly ones you don't know. Many times the layout of the shop/mall makes that difficult particularly with limited staff. In that case, make sure your most valuable items are under lock and key.

Other things to consider is posting a sign at the front door stating "NO LARGE BAGS IN STORE," and enforcing the policy. A favorite trick of shoplifters is working in teams as one thief distracts a clerk and the other steals. If there's more than one person working the store, don't get caught with both clerks helping one customer. If alone, a good policy is not to leave the counter behind the front door, therefore watching who comes and goes, and if someone has a question, have them bring the question to the clerk.

Times are getting easier so be wary of unfamiliar faces. If you've got some ideas on preventing theft, comment back. And, of course, talk to your local police force about other prevention measures to take.