Businesses, residences victims in recent burglaries

The Fort Scott Police Department is investigating a recent series of burglaries and thefts at various local businesses and residences over the last several days.

Fort Scott police officers investigated a burglary that was reported just after 7 a.m. March 2 at Fort Scott Lumber in the 1900 block of Judson Street. FSPD Capt. Shaun West said the reported burglary occurred sometime between 5:30 p.m. March 1 and 7:04 a.m. March 2. The alleged crime was reported by employees of the business.

According to the police report, there was $300 in damages to a door and door jamb. West said police have no suspect in this case.

Police also received a report of a burglary March 2 at Blue Valley Trailer in the 1800 block of South National Avenue. Multiple items were reportedly stolen from the business, including several tools and related equipment, as well as a computer tower. Total value of items stolen is about $2,650.

Two other local businesses were also reportedly burglarized on March 8.

The owner of the former R&R Equipment, a tractor and farm equipment business, also located in the 1800 block of South National Ave., reported numerous items stolen. West said the alleged crime reportedly took place between 5 and 6:30 a.m. March 8. Police made an arrest in this case and property reported stolen was recovered and returned to the business.

"We discovered property and identified the property came from that business," West said.

Items reported stolen that were subsequently returned include numerous car parts, tools, related equipment and accessories and several miscellaneous items.

Fort Scott police arrested Tanner J. O'Dell, 28, in conjunction with the burglary. He was charged with burglary; building is a non-dwelling -- business, and felony theft of property/services. As of Monday, O'Dell was being held in the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center on a $10,000 cash/surety bond.

Police are also investigating a reported burglary March 8 at the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill in the 1700 block of South Main St. About $500 in damages to a door, as well as stolen cash, were reported. West said police have no suspect and continue to investigate the crime.

West said given the close proximity of the businesses that reported burglaries, the crimes could be connected or separate.

"We're investigating with the possibility they could be connected," he said. "We're not ruling out any of them being independent from the others. We're currently working leads on multiple cases."

There have also been reports of recent residential burglaries. Police received a report of a vehicle burglary March 1 at a residence in the 1400 block of South Ransom Street. The reporting party and victim stated a black 1995 Pontiac was burglarized. Items reported stolen included currency, a purse, driver's license and other identification, for a total value less than $150, according to the police report.

Fort Scott police received a report of a burglary March 2 at a residence in the 200 block of Sunset Dr. According to the police report, items reported stolen from an attached garage were a pregnancy test, court documents, a laptop computer valued at $630, and a hand camera valued at $500.

On March 8, Fort Scott police received a report of a burglary at a residence in the 1900 block of Huntington Boulevard. Items taken in the theft are four home stereo speakers valued at $300.

West said police have no suspects in these residential burglaries and each of the cases remain under investigation.