String of Thefts Target the Elderly in Willow Springs

Between January 16 and 19, Willow Springs Police Department responded to three separate calls regarding thefts at the apartments located at 700 E. Sixth St. The items stolen were taken from outdoor areas of the residences and included outdoor décor, yard tools, a barbecue grill, and garden wagons. 

 

On January 20, the police department received information that several of the items were being sold on Facebook Marketplace. It was also discovered that items apparently stolen from the Senior Recreation Center, such as paintings, were listed for sale in similar fashion.  A report was initiated for the burglary of the Senior Center at this time. In the course of this investigation, police identified a male suspect using surveillance video. 

 

Using information from the Facebook Marketplace posts advertising the stolen items, police applied for and obtained a search warrant for a residence in Pomona. Officers from Willow Springs Police Department were assisted by Howell County Sheriff’s Deputies when they executed the search warrant at about 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. Two stolen items were recovered in the house. Other items had already been sold. The female resident/suspect was not present at the house while law enforcement officers were there. 

 

Police are currently searching for both suspects, who are assumed to be in the Willow Springs area. 

 

On January 21, while patrolling the area near the old Conaway Winter building, Officer Paden Turnbull discovered several more items from the thefts hidden in brush. These items were transported to the Willow Springs Police Department and held as evidence. Several items have been released back to victims, but several unclaimed items remain. 

 

Investigation is ongoing, and updates to this story will be published as information becomes available.