Local News – Monday, May 10th, 2021

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released a report that began on April 27th as the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a 1990 Chevrolet truck had been stolen from the Bunker School District R-III. The next day, they received a second report of a stolen vehicle, this time a 2003 Chevrolet Truck, from the Bunker area. The vehicle was reported stolen from an address in the 100 block of South Main. A short time later, the sheriff’s office received a report of a commercial burglary that occurred at the Conway Feed Store located at 206 Main Street in Bunker. Deputies traveled to the location and during the course of the investigation, it was discovered that approximately $5,800.00 worth of property was stolen. During the investigation, information received identified the suspect to be 26-year-old Austin Hill of Bunker. Further investigation revealed Hill was also a named suspect in the theft of both motor vehicles that had occurred the prior two days in the Bunker area. On April 29th, the Dent Count Sheriff’s Office received information that Hill was seen driving a red Jeep Wrangler with a black top. A short time later, the deputy observed a red Jeep Wrangler drive past his location and began following the vehicle, attempted a traffic stop, however the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit began. The Jeep was traveling northbound on Highway 72 and turned onto Route C. While in pursuit, the deputy identified the driver as Austin Hill as the vehicle continued to travel west on Route C until it left the roadway. The Jeep drove up onto an embankment on the left-hand side of the roadway and drove through private property damaging five fences before the Jeep came to a stop. Hill then fled on foot. The vehicle involved in the pursuit had been stolen from Iron County and contained stolen property from the Conway Feed Store. Hill was not located during the subsequent search of the area until an hour later when a report came in that a 1995 Ford F-150 had been stolen from the 1000 block of Dent County Road 3270. Surrounding police agencies were notified in an attempt to locate Hill. Later, a detective with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office located Hill in Rolla as well as the 1995 Ford F-150. Hill admitted to all the crimes indicated and is incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. He was formally charged with three felony counts for stealing of a motor vehicle/watercraft/aircraft, a felony arrest for resisting or interfering with an arrest, a felony for tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree, and two counts of property damage in the 1st degree. Hill is currently being held on a $250,000 cash or professional surety bond. Additionally, Hill is also being held on a probation violation, which is a 50,000.00 cash or surety bond. The charges for which Austin Hill was arrested for are accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

More reports have been submitted by the Salem Police Department. On Monday afternoon, April 12th, at approximately 3:45 an officer was dispatched to Wal Mart for a report of a shoplifter that had fled on foot. Officers located the suspect along with the reported shoplifted items. As a result, a 37-year-old Salem female was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. The next evening at approximately 6:00 officers were dispatched to the Fourth Street Mall for a report of a couple actively fighting in front of the store. Once officers arrived, they noticed it was a couple that they had dealt with 2 times prior just a couple hours prior for the same thing. As a result, a 22-year-old Salem female and a 29-year-old Salem male were arrested and issued summons for disorderly conduct. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

If you are in need of assistance to pay your utility bills there are several options available to area residents. To make it easier to seek assistance, the South Central Community Action Agency, Catholic Charities, and The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit will be available each Tuesday through the end of May from 10:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. If you’re unable to attend in person you may also contact the South Central Community Action Agency at 729-3500 ext. 10 or email Sarah Arnett at sgivens@scmcaa.org, or Angelia Murphey at Catholic Charities by calling either 573-323-4044 or 417-522-5940 and be sure to mention that you’re a Dent County resident. You can also email Angelia at amurphey@ccsomo.org. You may also contact Sherry Lea or Lacey Walker at the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army by calling 729-8163 or email sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org. You’re asked to contact the South Central Community Action Agency first before contacting the other two agencies. There are other local churches and organizations that have funds to assist as well but please contact the above listed agencies first and you are asked not to contact local churches at this time.