Information sought in home invasions

Local authorities are continuing to investigate two recent armed home invasions they believe are connected.

The first at a residence in the 300 block of Meadow View Drive was reported to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department at about 5:15 p.m. July 17.

Fewer than three hours later, a second home invasion at a residence in the 1000 block of Clyde Avenue was reported to the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

In both incidents, the suspects fled the scene in what was described as a white SUV.

About 45 minutes after the Clyde Avenue incident, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped the suspect vehicle in the 1300 block of North Westwood Boulevard, said police Detective Corey Mitchell.

The male driver, Mitchell said, identified the “two subjects that were involved,” indicating they were at his home.

Marcus Paul Caruso, 20, and Isaiah Alexander Rose, 17, both of Cape Girardeau, were located at the home and arrested on suspicion of stealing, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.

Both subsequently were booked at the Butler County jail and released pending further investigation after a 24-hour hold, Mitchell said.

Items of evidentiary value, Mitchell said, also were found in the home.

Police officers, Mitchell said, believe Caruso and Rose are “the prime suspects. We’ve got a third suspect identified.”

That third suspect, according to Butler County Chief Deputy Wes Popp, is believed to be one of the three suspects in the Meadow View home invasion. The other two suspects are unknown at this time.

Both investigations are ongoing, and “we are working hand in hand with the city ... because it is believed the two are connected,” Popp said.

In the county incident, it was reported that three or four Black males entered the residence and robbed the four occupants, according to Butler County Lt. Aaron Pratt’s report.

The men had their faces covered with “medical masks,” and three were armed, Pratt said.

While inside the home, Pratt said, the victims reported the suspects demanded to know “‘Where is the stuff?’”

One of the occupants, Pratt said, believed “the stuff” to be drugs and money.

Two of the occupants reported being pistol whipped and were treated at the scene by emergency-medical-services personnel for lacerations to their heads, Pratt said.

“All of the victims interviewed were adamant that they did not know the identity of the suspects,” Pratt said. “I was informed that they believed the suspects were not from this area, but that it had to be organized by someone who knew them because they did not feel this was a random incident.”

In the Clyde Avenue incident, police Lt. Josh Stewart said, the three residents of the home reported three armed male suspects forced their way in and began pointing firearms at them.

“The residents advised that all three of the suspects were wearing dark clothing and masks,” Stewart said. “The suspects began yelling, telling the residents to give them their ‘stuff.’

“After a brief time, the suspects fled the residence in a white SUV, possibly a Jeep. The only item confirmed to have been taken was a vape.”

No one was injured in the incident, Stewart said.

Anyone with information pertaining to these investigations is asked to contact the Poplar Bluff Police Department at 573-785-5776 or the Butler County Sheriff’s Department at 573-785-8444.