A Jefferson City man has been formally charged in connection with several vehicle theft cases.
Friday morning, Robert L. Keating, 43, of 419 Windridge Court, was charged in Cole County with felony stealing, fraudulent use of a credit card and misdemeanor second-degree property damage.
Since the beginning of August, Jefferson City police have been investigating a number of vehicle break-ins throughout the city.
Typically, the thefts were parked vehicles at fitness facilities or nature/walking trail areas. Vehicles that had valuables, such as purses locked within but exposed, were targeted.
A JCPD probable cause statement shows authorities reviewed security camera footage Tuesday after another smash-and-grab break-in occurred at the Capital Region Health Plex at 1423 Southwest Blvd.
From that footage, Keating was identified as he got out of a vehicle, parked next to the victim's vehicle, and got back in his vehicle a few minutes later. The victim in this case had her driver's door busted out and her purse stolen.
The victim's credit card, which was in her purse, had an unauthorized use at Walmart on West Stadium Boulevard shortly after the theft. There was also an ATM withdrawal of more than $500 from the victim's account shortly after the theft.
Detectives were able to determine Keating was in the Boone County area Thursday night near Finger Lakes State Park. Boone County authorities located him in a vehicle, and a pursuit began. Keating jumped out of his vehicle when he drove off into a hay field near Route VV, and after a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody.
As of Friday, Keating was being held in the Boone County Jail on a no-bond, Cole County warrant for the series of Jefferson City thefts. He is facing similar charges in Boone County and other jurisdictions.
JCPD detectives are still investigating the case, which includes locating other victims and stolen items.