By Woodrow Polston
A rash of crimes plagued Audrain County last week in various towns, including a stabbing in Farber, grand theft auto in Laddonia, and vandalism in Vandalia. The Audrain County Sheriff’s Office alerted the public via social media on April 4 that it was seeking information about a suspicious vehicle.
“Just after 9 a.m. this morning, deputies were advised of a suspicious vehicle in Laddonia. Before arriving at the call, a deputy in Vandalia spotted the car and attempted to stop it to investigate. The car abruptly pulled into an alleyway and the driver and passenger both immediately fled on foot in different directions. It was determined the car was reported stolen from Camden County and associated to two runaway juveniles,” stated the social media post.
The driver of the vehicle was a white male juvenile from the Camden County area with dark blonde hair, the passenger was a white female juvenile from the Camden County area with dark brown hair. Sheriff Oller and K9 Apollo were in the area when they were discovered. Both subjects surrendered to K9 Apollo without incident and were turned over to the 12th Circuit Juvenile Office for crimes committed in Audrain County as well as outstanding warrants for crimes committed in other counties.
Later that morning, Micah Hodde, owner of the Shear Platinum hair salon in Vandalia, called the Vandalia Leader to inform General Manager Amy Elliott that someone had vandalized the back side of the Vandalia Leader building. Upon inspection, Elliott discovered graffiti that had been spray painted on the back side wall.
“I called the sheriff’s office and filed a report about the incident,” said Elliott. “We are not aware of any security cameras having captured the subjects who were involved. The sheriff’s office is seeking information regarding this investigation,” she added.
Just before midnight, deputies were dispatched to an address in Farber on a report of two people who had just been stabbed in an altercation. Upon arrival, deputies found the two subjects with stab wounds. An on-scene investigation revealed the two subjects had gone to a relative’s house in Farber, and when they arrived and knocked at the door, the door was opened and they were immediately attacked and stabbed with scissors by a subject at the address. Both subjects were transported to hospitals in Columbia by EMS, and were last known to be in serious, but stable condition.
The suspect was identified as Daniel E. Green, 44, of Farber. He was arrested and has been formally charged with two counts of assault first degree and two counts of armed criminal action and remains in the Audrain County Jail on no bond warrants for the offenses.
Last week, there were also reports of counterfeit $100 bills being circulated in Audrain County, as well as other instances of vandalism that resulted in property damage. Shopkeepers are encouraged to inspect currencies.