Suspect In Gas Station Break-Ins Arrested, Charged
May 16, 2019
Isaac Estes-Jones
The search for the individual who broke into two Stone County gas stations at the beginning of the month is over. Trevor McDonald, 28, of Branson, was arrested on Wednesday, May 8, and booked into the Stone County Jail on charges of burglary and property damage.
McDonald allegedly used his truck to back through the doors of Rantz’ Country Express near Reeds Spring on Thursday, May 2, and used the same tactic at Carr Lane Country Stop on Saturday, May 4. Both events were recorded on security cameras in the businesses. During both events, McDonald attempted to take the ATM from inside by wrapping a chain or strap around the machine. He was allegedly successful in removing the ATM at Carr Lane.
After these events, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office shared stills from the surveillance footage with the public in hopes of identifying the vehicle and suspect. These photos were widely shared through the news media and on Facebook, reportedly leading to several tips.
The vehicle allegedly used in the break-ins, a red Ford F-150 registered to Trevor McDonald, was located on Monday, May 6, less than two miles from Carr Lane. The stolen ATM was still in the bed of the vehicle, according to affidavits of probable cause used in filing charges against McDonald. After recovering the vehicle, the sheriff’s office updated the public.
Investigators alleged McDonald used saran wrap and spray paint to alter the appearance of the truck before committing the second break in. These tactics attempted to hide damage the vehicle sustained after backing though the doors of the Rantz convenience store.
The Rantz break-in occurred on Thursday, May 2, at around 4:30 a.m., according to the probable cause statements. After breaking through the doors, the suspect was seen on video attempting to fit a strap around the ATM. When this proved unsuccessful, he drove away from the scene. The Rantz break in reportedly caused over $2,500 in damage to the doors and the brick work around the entrance of the building.
The Carr Lane event occurred at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. Breaking into the store reportedly caused around $5,000 in damage. In this event, McDonald was allegedly successful in wrapping a chain around the ATM and dragging it out of the store. The cost of the ATM is over $2,000, and it reportedly contained around $3,700 in twenty-dollar bills.
Authorities allege that McDonald purchased several expensive items, including an iphone, with twenty dollar bills from Walmart in Branson West, on Saturday afternoon, May 4. He also reportedly gave $1,300, all in twenty dollar bills, to an uninvolved third party.
McDonald was arrested on Wednesday, May 8, and booked into the Stone County Jail at 10:30 a.m., according to the online jail roster.
The probable cause statements allege that, during the inventory of his personal items during arrest, $140 in crisp, like-new twenty dollar bills were found in McDonald’s wallet. These bills are reportedly consistent with those distributed by the stolen ATM.
McDonald remains in the Stone County Jail. He is charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree and two counts of property damage in the first degree, one of each for both break ins. Bond for the first pair of charges is set at $25,000 cash or surety. Bond for the other set of charges has not yet been set as of press time Tuesday afternoon.
Isaac Estes-Jones
The search for the individual who broke into two Stone County gas stations at the beginning of the month is over. Trevor McDonald, 28, of Branson, was arrested on Wednesday, May 8, and booked into the Stone County Jail on charges of burglary and property damage.
McDonald allegedly used his truck to back through the doors of Rantz’ Country Express near Reeds Spring on Thursday, May 2, and used the same tactic at Carr Lane Country Stop on Saturday, May 4. Both events were recorded on security cameras in the businesses. During both events, McDonald attempted to take the ATM from inside by wrapping a chain or strap around the machine. He was allegedly successful in removing the ATM at Carr Lane.
After these events, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office shared stills from the surveillance footage with the public in hopes of identifying the vehicle and suspect. These photos were widely shared through the news media and on Facebook, reportedly leading to several tips.
The vehicle allegedly used in the break-ins, a red Ford F-150 registered to Trevor McDonald, was located on Monday, May 6, less than two miles from Carr Lane. The stolen ATM was still in the bed of the vehicle, according to affidavits of probable cause used in filing charges against McDonald. After recovering the vehicle, the sheriff’s office updated the public.
Investigators alleged McDonald used saran wrap and spray paint to alter the appearance of the truck before committing the second break in. These tactics attempted to hide damage the vehicle sustained after backing though the doors of the Rantz convenience store.
The Rantz break-in occurred on Thursday, May 2, at around 4:30 a.m., according to the probable cause statements. After breaking through the doors, the suspect was seen on video attempting to fit a strap around the ATM. When this proved unsuccessful, he drove away from the scene. The Rantz break in reportedly caused over $2,500 in damage to the doors and the brick work around the entrance of the building.
The Carr Lane event occurred at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. Breaking into the store reportedly caused around $5,000 in damage. In this event, McDonald was allegedly successful in wrapping a chain around the ATM and dragging it out of the store. The cost of the ATM is over $2,000, and it reportedly contained around $3,700 in twenty-dollar bills.
Authorities allege that McDonald purchased several expensive items, including an iphone, with twenty dollar bills from Walmart in Branson West, on Saturday afternoon, May 4. He also reportedly gave $1,300, all in twenty dollar bills, to an uninvolved third party.
McDonald was arrested on Wednesday, May 8, and booked into the Stone County Jail at 10:30 a.m., according to the online jail roster.
The probable cause statements allege that, during the inventory of his personal items during arrest, $140 in crisp, like-new twenty dollar bills were found in McDonald’s wallet. These bills are reportedly consistent with those distributed by the stolen ATM.
McDonald remains in the Stone County Jail. He is charged with two counts of burglary in the second degree and two counts of property damage in the first degree, one of each for both break ins. Bond for the first pair of charges is set at $25,000 cash or surety. Bond for the other set of charges has not yet been set as of press time Tuesday afternoon.