Doggone good detective work solves theft of pet

CHARLESTON - Sometimes it is dogged determination that leads to the solution of a crime. Just ask Mississippi County sheriff's deputies who were able to recover a family pet after five months of investigation.

According to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore, on Oct. 2, 2005, Julie Woods of Wyatt, discovered her dog, Angel, had been taken off her chain and was missing from their home. Woods contacted the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department and Deputy Ken Dalton took the call, taking a statement from Woods and speaking to the neighbors regarding the situation.

Woods made "missing" flyers for the neighborhood and remained in constant contact with the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department to see if there was any information about the dog.

"When Chief Deputy Charlie Marcum and Deputy Janice McCameron began working on the case, it was discovered that a woman, identified as Kimberlie Holland of Tennessee, had been seen taking the dog from the chain and putting the animal into a truck," Moore said.

During the course of the investigation Holland's family members refused to give any information. However, Holland did contact McCameron and stated she did not take the dog.

Marcum continued to interview neighbors and was able to build a case against Holland. "Locating Holland is what proved to be difficult," said Moore. "Without knowing which town she was residing in and with information that she had recently moved, hindered the recovery of the animal."

Continuing their investigation, Marcum and McCameron located Holland and issued a warrant for her arrest. According to Missouri State Statutes, it is a Class D felony to steal an animal. Holland, who was arrested in Tennessee, waived extradition to Missouri and she and the dog were returned to Mississippi County.

According to Moore, Woods and her family were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the dog and were extremely grateful of the dedication of the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

In commending the deputies' efforts, Moore added, "No crime is too large or too small, and each and every case that comes into this department is to be handled with care and efficiency and followed until the case is resolved."