Dexter man charged in
break ins at 9 businesses
By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH
Staff Writer
DEXTER -- A Dexter man continues to be held on a $500,000 cash bond after he recently was charged with 21 offenses stemming from break ins at nine businesses.
Jacob A. Jackson, 21, is to appear June 21 before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield for a preliminary hearing on nine Class D felonies of second-degree burglary and six Class D felonies of stealing. He also is charged with two Class A misdemeanors of stealing and four Class B misdemeanors of second-degree property damage.
Jackson, according to earlier reports, initially was arrested in late April by officers with the Malden Police Department and subsequently charged with burglarizing and stealing from H&R Block in the 200 block of West Business 60 on March 29.
During the investigation and interviews with Jackson, he reportedly admitted to being involved in several business burglaries in Dexter.
Jackson's original charges reportedly were dismissed by the state, and on May 23, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver charged Jackson with the 21 counts he now faces.
Jackson is accused of burglarizing World Finance, Cash Depot, Country Finance and H&R Block, all on West Business 60; Always Tan, Perfect 10 Nail Salon and Jean & Company, all on West Stoddard Street and Cash to Go and Berm Insurance, both on North Walnut Street.
The break ins reportedly occurred between Feb. 23 and March 29.
H&R Block, according to Dexter Detective Cory Mills' probable-cause statement, was entered via the drive-thru window, and its interior offices were rummaged through and money was stolen from a cabinet.
When Jackson was told of his rights and interviewed on April 30, "he admitted to entering the business via the drive-thru window," Mills said. "Jacob admitted he stole approximately $700 in U.S. currency from an interior office."
Jackson, Mills said, reported he was having financial problems at that time and used the money for his family.
"Jacob admitted his actions were wrong and was apologetic," Mills said.
On May 1, Detective Eddie Holloway reportedly met with Jackson, who was again told of his rights, regarding several other burglaries in the Dexter area.
"During the interview Jackson stated he did not burglarize Cash Depot, but ... (he) stated he and other codefendants used a small pry bar to gain entry into other businesses," Holloway wrote in his probable-cause statements.
Cash Depot's surveillance video, Holloway said, showed a suspect holding a small pry bar.
"The suspect in the video also fits Jackson('s) height and stature," Holloway said. " ... Jackson('s) shoes also fit the same size profile from prints left at the scene."
While in Cash Depot, Holloway said, the suspect(s) rummaged through the business looking for items to steal.
"Jackson also pried open a locked filing cabinet," said Holloway, who indicated the business' owner did not find anything missing.
During the same interview, Holloway said, Jackson was asked about the World Finance break in.
" ... Jackson stated he, along with other codefendants, entered World Finance by prying open the back door of the business," Holloway said. "(He) stated they stole what he could remember as a man's style wallet."
The business' owner, Holloway said, reported nothing had been stolen.
Holloway said Jackson described using a small pry bar during several burglaries, including at Perfect 10 Nail Salon and Jean & Company CPA.
During the burglaries of the nail salon and CPA firm, Jackson reported he was the "'look out' for his codefendants while they burglarized the business," Holloway said. "(He) stated he would use a signal to notify the codefendants if anyone was coming."
Again, the owners of both the nail salon and CPA firm reportedly did not find anything missing.
When Jackson was asked about the break in at Country Financial, Holloway said, Jackson reported "he and several codefendants kicked open the back door ... and entered the business.
"While inside the business, Jackson stated they stole cash money from desk drawers."
Holloway said Jackson reported he did not remember stealing any purses, but "the other codefendants may have."
About $500 in cash and two purses were reported stolen during the Feb. 23 burglary at Country Financial, Holloway said.
About $80 cash, a Colt Cadet .22-caliber handgun, Marlin .30-06 rifle and .410-gauge shotgun were reported stolen during a March 2 burglary at Brem Insurance, Holloway said.
When Jackson was asked about that burglary, he reported to Holloway that he and his codefendants entered the office by prying open a door.
"Jackson stated they stole what he remembered as a handgun and a long gun," Holloway said. "(He) stated he, along with his codefendants, took the stolen items to a residence belonging to one of the codefendants."
Holloway said Jackson later was shown a photograph of a Colt Cadet pistol and identified it as one of the firearms allegedly stolen during the burglary.
When questioned about the burglary at Always Tan, Jackson again told Holloway he had acted as the "look out."
Holloway said about $15 in change was reported stolen from that business.
Jackson, Holloway said, further admitted he and his codefendants entered the Cash to Go business, where he "remembered stealing a handgun ... .
"(He) stated he, along with the codefendants, took the stolen items to a residence belonging to one of the codefendants."
Holloway said the Cash to Go had been forcibly entered by smashing the glass front door.
A small safe, containing nearly $1,800, and a Diamondback .380-caliber handgun were stolen, Holloway said.