Two of three trucks stolen from Columbia business recovered

COLUMBIA — Three trucks were stolen from Columbia Auto Auction on 5950 S. Rolling Hills Road early Thursday morning, two of which have been recovered.

One stolen truck, a white and tan 1992 Ford F-250, was crashed into a tree on Bruce Lane, east of Harrisburg, and was discovered by Boone County Sheriff's deputies around 8 a.m., according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department. It had been hot-wired, Detective Tom O'Sullivan said.

Surveillance footage shows the same vehicle crashing into an ATM causing minor damage at Commercial Trust Bank in Harrisburg earlier in the morning, O'Sullivan said. No money was stolen from the ATM.

The MU Police Department recovered another of the trucks, a black 1994 Dodge Dakota at 5 a.m.. Officers out on patrol spotted it parked illegally in a field on New Haven Road with the keys in it, MU Police Captain Brian Weimer said.

Fred Braselton, co-owner of Columbia Auto Auction, which buys and sells cars to other dealers, said this is the first time in 38 years of business that vehicles have been stolen.

As of Thursday afternoon, the third truck, an orange 2000 Dodge Dakota, was still missing.

The Sheriff's Department says it has no suspects.

Anyone with information about the thefts can contact CrimeStoppers at www.875tips.com or by calling 875-8477.