Former Neighbor Suspect in Imperial Apartment Burglary

A man who lives on Old Highway 21 in Imperial reported that a former neighbor broke into his apartment on Dec. 2 and stole $1,920 in various items.

Specifically, he reported that a Pioneer head unit, an X-Box 360 game system with controllers and controller kit, a Toshiba laptop computer and five sports hats had been removed in the burglary.

The man told Jefferson County Sheriff's officers that he notified another neighbor of the incident. That neighbor told police the former neighbor recently requested a ride to Festus, and that he believed the man committed the burglary.

When the neighbor confronted the former neighbor, he fled on foot leaving behind one of his bags. Inside the bag was the five missing sports hats reported stolen. The second bag containing the remaining items was found behind a dumpter in the apartment complex.