Gasconade, Franklin investigators nab suspect in RV theft

Dave Marner, Managing Editor
Posted 7/24/19

Sheriff’s deputies from Gasconade and Franklin counties teamed last week to recover a stolen RV and a lawnmower taken, apparently, in separate incidents which ended up being connected with a …

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Gasconade, Franklin investigators nab suspect in RV theft

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Sheriff’s deputies from Gasconade and Franklin counties teamed last week to recover a stolen RV and a lawnmower taken, apparently, in separate incidents which ended up being connected with a residence near Leslie.

During the investigation, an Owensville woman on probation for drug-related offenses was arrested. Also arrested was an Owensville man who was wanted on warrant alleging a probation violation.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton begins the narrative as he reports how on July 14, a Sunday, his office was contacted by a resident near Beaufort. She was reporting that her recreational vehicle (RV) had been stolen. A photograph of the RV began circulating on the social media app Facebook and was shared through several neighborhood watch groups throughout Franklin County.

The next day, Pelton said Franklin County detectives were assisting the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office with an investigation near the 100 block of Hill-Kline Road, Leslie Mo. 

Gasconade County Sheriff’s personnel received information on the whereabouts of a Gasconade County man wanted for a parole violation and the location of a lawnmower stolen from Osage County, according to Sheriff John Romanus of their reason for going July 15 to the Hill-Klein Road residence near Leslie.

While authorities did not locate the person they were looking for, according to Romanus, they did locate 30-year-old Adam W. McGowin of Owensville who was wanted on a warrant for an alleged probation violation. McGowin was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Franklin County Jail in Union.

While at the residence on Hill-Klein Road, deputies acted on information developed by Gasconade County Sheriff’s personnel indicating that a stolen John Deere Zero-Turn lawnmower was on the property. Deputies located the lawnmower, valued at $4,500 and confirmed that it was stolen from a residence in the 1200 block of Route D in Osage County near Cooper Hill.

Also stolen from the Osage County property was a 1990 Dodge pickup, a 1991 Built-Rite trailer, a 9 mm handgun, along with other items. 

At the time it was stolen earlier this summer, according to Romanus, the lawnmower was on the trailer which was attached to the truck. The truck and trailer were later located in Washington County, Mo., but the lawnmower was not on the trailer. The lawnmower is owned by a resident who lives in the 3700 block of Homeyer Road near Owensville.

The individual believed to have stolen the items from Osage County is currently incarcerated in the Washington County Jail. It is possible that additional charges will be filed in Franklin County in connection with the stolen lawnmower, according to Romanus.

While at the residence, investigators with Pelton’s staff received information the RV was at the residence the night before. Deputies received a description and identification of the suspect, Pelton reported.

While detectives were at the Leslie residence, sheriff’s deputies received a separate call from the victim stating she knew where the RV was located, according to Pelton.

He reports the victim received a photo and a phone call from a citizen who viewed the photo circulating on Facebook and asked the victim if this was her RV. The victim confirmed the RV was hers and contacted the sheriff’s office — even providing them the location. Deputies responded to Pacific Summit Estates Mobile Home Park near Gray Summit, Mo., and located the RV.

On July 16, a Franklin County warrant was obtained for Mary E. Limberg of Owensville on the allegation of stealing a motor vehicle. Bond was set at $4,500. Limberg is currently on parole for possession of a controlled substance and is being supervised by the Missouri Probation and Parole Board.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton said in a release he thanks “members of the neighborhood watch groups who shared the information pertaining to the RV and the citizens that were keeping a look out for the RV. The sharing of this information assisted the Sheriff’s Office in locating and recovering the vehicle.”

Pelton added that if anyone is interested in the creating a neighborhood watch group in their area, they are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 636-583-2560.

Romanus thanked sheriff’s deputies and investigators from both Franklin and Osage counties for their assistance in helping solve these intertwined cases.