On October 8, 2019, The Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary from a residence located on the 2200 block of Mueller Lane, Leslie Mo. The homeowner came to check on the property that was vacant and found signs that someone had been inside the residence. Detectives responded to the residence and found evidence linking the same suspects to this residence as well as several pieces of mail stolen from the Franklin County area. It appeared the suspects had been using the residence as a “safe house” to hide from law enforcement.
On October 10, 2019, Investigators were able to located the suspects at a residence in the 100 block of Persimmon Lane, Sullivan Mo. Both subjects were taken into custody without incident. Deputies did recover stolen items from the burglaries along with stolen mail.
On October 11, 2019 charges were issued against David L. Bell of St. Clair and Rachelle A. Bell of St. Clair for 2 counts of Burglary in the 2nd Degree and two counts of Stealing. Bond was set at $75,000 cash only on David Bell and bond was set at $75,000 on Rachelle Bell.
The Sheriff’s office is working with the United States Postal Inspectors in regards to the mail theft and encourages anyone who believes their mail has been stolen to file a report with the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the members of the neighborhood watch groups in Franklin County for their assistance with the information forwarded to the Office. The information obtained aided law enforcement in the investigation and apprehension of the suspects.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff