Man pleads guilty to felony stealing, burglary

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 1/20/21

VIENNA —  A St. James man who stole two trucks in Vienna in February 2020 was sentenced to five years in the Missouri Department of corrections in October 2020. The Vienna Police …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Man pleads guilty to felony stealing, burglary

Posted

VIENNA —  A St. James man who stole two trucks in Vienna in February 2020 was sentenced to five years in the Missouri Department of corrections in October 2020. The Vienna Police Department handled the investigation.

Police Chief Shannon Thompson recently released information about Rickey L. Searle, 32, and the investigation by the Vienna PD.

On Feb. 13, 2020, the Vienna PD investigated the attempted theft of a pickup truck from Bud’s Auto, 505 S. Highway 63, Vienna, where the suspect drove the truck into the side of the building, causing structural damage. He then abandoned the truck.

The suspect was tracked on surveillance video from surrounding businesses to a residence located at 909 S. Highway 63 where he successfully stole a 2012 Dodge pickup truck, valued at over $30,000. He left from Vienna traveling north on Highway 63. Several area businesses, through the use of their surveillance video systems, were able to assist Vienna PD with tracking and identifying the suspect. 

As a result of the investigation, Vienna PD was able to positively identify Ricky L. Searle, 31, who was living in Kansas City, Mo. According to Missouri Casenet, Searle was charged with two counts of felony stealing a motor vehicle and one count of second degree burglary. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Maries County Associate Circuit Court on Feb. 19, 2020. The stolen truck was recovered on Feb. 25, 2020 in Kansas City and returned to the owner. 

Chief Thompson reported Searle was taken into custody in Florida in September 2020 on the Maries County charges and was extradited back to the Maries County Jail.

Searle pleaded guilty on Oct. 19, 2020 to the felony charges of stealing, attempt stealing, and second degree burglary. He was sentenced to five years in the DOC on all counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. 

Chief Thompson said Maries County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Skouby is seeking $9,000 in restitution in the case.