Four Burlington men are in custody in two states and police are looking for a fifth Burlington man in connection with a series of break-ins of homes and cabins on both sides of the Mississippi River.
The latest arrest in the break-ins occurred Friday when Bryce Miller, 22, was taken into custody when he went to meet a probation officer in Mount Pleasant on an unrelated criminal conviction.
He is being held in the Des Moines County jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond on five counts of third-degree burglary in connection with break-ins last month at residences and cabins on O'Connell Beach Road, north of Burlington.
Two other men have been charged in connection with the O'Connell Beach Road burglaries that occurred Dec. 6. Michael Jagerson Jr., 23, and Patrick Sanders, 26, each are charged with five counts of third-degree burglary. Their bonds also are set at $25,000 cash or surety.
All three men face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the felony charges in Des Moines County.
In addition to the Des Moines County charges, Jagerson also is one of three men facing charges in Henderson County, Illinois, for a series of New Year's Eve break-ins New Year's Eve at the “Get Away” cabins in rural Gladstone, Illinois.
Also arrested last week in connection with the Illinois break-ins was Kaleb Shannan, 18, Burlington.
He and Jagerson are each charged in Henderson County Circuit Court with residential burglary. Their bonds in Henderson County are set at $50,000 cash or surety.
Authorities in Henderson County still are searching for a third man wanted in connection with the break-ins. His name has not been released, but authorities said he also is a Burlington resident.
Investigators said the five men are part of a loosely knit group who stole guns, flat-screen televisions, electronic equipment, video games, tools and a variety of other items in the burglaries from residences and cabins "up and down" the Mississippi River.
In one Des Moines County burglary alone, thieves took 11 firearms, including shotguns, rifles and handguns.
The dollar amount of the stolen property in Des Moines County has not been released. However, authorities said it appeared to be several thousands of dollars.
In Henderson County, the thieves broke into 20 different cabins and homes on New Year's weekend, stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment and guns.
Footage on security cameras showing one of the Henderson County break-ins was posted Jan 1. to Facebook and viewed more than 160,000 times. It shows two men coming onto the property, breaking in and exiting with a large, flat-panel TV.
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Investigators on both sides of the river are attempting to determine where the group was able to sell that amount of stolen property in this area.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed in both states.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Burlington Area CrimeStoppers at (319) 753-6835.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.