Suspect admits second burglary

Jeremy Hayden, 20, pleaded guilty to a second burglary charge Thursday in Buchanan County Circuit Court, admitting to his part in a home burglary that netted $3,250 worth of electronics, guns and tools.

The Helena, Mo., man was part of a 10-member burglary ring that targeted local churches, businesses, schools and homes this spring. Mr. Hayden pleaded guilty last week to taking part in the break-in at Central High School in April.

On Thursday, Mr. Hayden admitted to helping steal a couple of TVs, three guns, a GPS device and a cordless drill from a home on Pigeon Hill Road on March 19, along with Robert Manassero, Courtney Kline and Tyler Stout. All three co-defendants already pleaded guilty to their part in the burglary ring that committed between 20 and 25 crimes.

Mr. Hayden said he and the three burglars met while training at the same gym.

“I just got caught up in the wrong group,” he said.

Judge Weldon Judah quickly corrected, “You were part of the wrong group.”

When asked what happened to the stolen merchandise from the home, Mr. Hayden, in a bit of irony, said someone stole it from the house where he and Mr. Manassero were living at the time. Mr. Hayden suspected one of the other members of the ring was responsible.

Judge Dan Kellogg will sentence Mr. Hayden for the Central break-in on Dec. 10. Mr. Judah will sentence the defendant on the Pigeon Hill burglary on Dec. 14.

Vandal pleads guilty to March spree

The third member of a group that went on a vandalism spree last spring pleaded guilty to property damage in the first degree on Thursday in Buchanan County Circuit Court.

Brett Liechti, 19, pleaded guilty, while his mother and co-defendant Joanne Nelson, 39, sat in the courtroom. Mr. Liechti and Lucas Pace, 18, spray-painted cars and threw rocks through windows of vehicles on the South Side back in March, while Ms. Nelson drove, according to court testimony.

“(Ms. Nelson) knew what they were doing,” said Ron Holliday, the first assistant to the Buchanan County prosecutor. “She is as much responsible as Mr. Liechti and Mr. Pace.”

Mr. Pace received a four-year prison sentence in August for his part in the spree.

Ms. Nelson’s sentencing is scheduled for next Monday, while Judge Dan Kellogg will sentence Mr. Liechti on Dec. 10.

Compiled by R.J. Cooper, who can be reached at rjcooper@npgco.com.