One arrested in connection with local burglaries

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One individual has been taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies in connection with a series of burglaries in the western part of Perry County while another is being sought, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Joseph A. Shelley, 30, of Farmington, has been taken into custody and charged with three counts of felony burglary, one count of felony stealing, two counts of misdemeanor stealing and one count of misdemeanor property damage, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
At this time, Shelly is being held at the Perry County Jail on $25,000 cash bond.
The Sheriff's Office was still looking for Shelly's alleged accomplice, 31 year old Dustin Bishop, of Bismark. As of Wednesday, April 20, the sheriff reported that Bishop had been taken into custody in St. Francois County. Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said his office was in the process of sending a deputy to further question Bishop about the incident.
On April 14, a country resident in the 2800 block of Highway BB reported two burglaries, according to a Perry County Sheriff’s office probable cause affidavit. Two sheds had allegedly been entered and property had been stolen from each one. The items taken from the first shed included a Stihl chainsaw, grase gun, air compressor, mechanics chair and creeper, cattle tags and a gas can. In another second, located about a half mile away, a battery container, pitchfork, red toolbox and miscellaneous tools were taken.

Surveillance video, from the first shed, revealed a white male entering and taking property. The male was traveling in a gray Kia Soul which did not have any license plates.
On April 15, an individual in the 12300 block of Highway T reported a burglary in progress and that a surveillance system captured a male who allegedly had power tools in his possession leaving the shed.
Upon receiving information that Shelley was responsible for the thefts, two Perry County deputies as well as St. Francois deputies arrived in the vicinity of the 4900 block of Copenhagen Road in Farmington. Shelley was in his garage and questioned about the recent burglaries in Perry County as well as the items taken.
Shelley admitted to stealing several items. There was additional property that was not recovered.
The defendant told investigators that Bishop allegedly had entered a shed on Highway T and that he was just looking to get gas for his vehicle.