In the past year, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from citizens who collectively lost nearly $71,000.00 to scams. Sadly, that number only represents those who reported the crime, many victims never come forward due to feeling of embarrassment or ashamed. 

 Citizens are increasingly becoming victims of scams as reports of fraudulent phone calls, text messages, and online schemes continue to rise. It seems that each day brings a new scheme spreading through the internet, Facebook Marketplace, phone calls and text messages. As Scammers are using increasingly convincing tactics, Law enforcement agencies across Missouri are reporting a sharp increase in marketplace fraud and text message scams where the message looks like it’s from your bank, a person who entered the wrong phone number, a delivery service, or even the government, asking you to click a link or just in hopes that you reply. 

If you click the link, you may be giving scammers access to your personal information, login credentials or credit card details. If you reply, it confirms that your phone number is active and gives them the opportunity to engage you in conversation to collect more personal information, add you to additional target lists and use your details to create highly convincing “pretexting” scams designed to trick you into believing you know or trust them. By using the information you’ve already shared, scammers can lower your defenses and make their fraudulent requests seem completely legitimate.

I just recently read an article referencing a report from “TrueCaller” showing Missouri is now in the top 10 states, ranking 7th, with the greatest amount of scam calls and texts per user, per month. “TrueCaller” reported, during the month of September 2025, Missourians received over 55 million fraudulent calls and texts. TrueCaller and RoboKiller are just a few of the many mobile applications used to block spam calls and text messages. 

To avoid becoming a victim, never click on suspicious links or respond to unexpected messages. Verify any communication by contacting the organization directly using a known phone number or website. When using online marketplaces, deal only through the platform’s secure payment system and meet in safe, public locations. Be skeptical of anyone requesting gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency as payment. Remember — if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

On October 20th, deputies were dispatched to Jones Street in Jonesburg for a disturbance involving a male subject reportedly striking road signs and yelling at a female. The suspect was located a short time later in the Dollar General parking lot. Deputies identified him and confirmed he had multiple active warrants out of St. Charles Police Department for failure to register a vehicle, resisting arrest and obstructing police. The male subject was taken into custody without incident, transported to the MC Jail and booked on the confirmed warrants. 

Also on October 20th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19 near Gerken Drive after observing a vehicle with a faulty headlight. The driver stated he was traveling to pick up a friend for work in Montgomery City. During the stop, deputies discovered the driver’s license was suspended and that he had two active warrants out of Pacific, Missouri. The warrants were confirmed and the driver was arrested, transported to the MC Jail, booked on the active warrants and issued a citation for driving while suspended.

As of October 21, an ongoing investigation by the Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of two individuals in connection with the theft of a pickup truck and multiple vehicle rims valued at nearly $20,000.00.  

On October 22, deputies took a report of a stolen 2015 white Chevrolet Silverado and ten aluminum rims from a local business near Montgomery City. Surveillance video from the business showed two suspects entering the property during the early morning hours of October 20th, where they loaded the rims, valued at approximately $4,500, into the stolen truck before leaving the scene. Through follow-up investigation, deputies located the stolen vehicle at a scrap yard in Moberly. Surveillance footage showed a male suspect arriving in the stolen truck and unloading the stolen rims while accompanied by a female who provided identification to complete the sale.

Both suspects were later located in another jurisdiction and taken into custody with assistance of Manchester Police. During interviews, investigators learned the suspects had been staying at a residence in Moberly, belonging to a known associate who had prior ties to Montgomery County. The suspects reportedly used two vehicles during the theft and subsequent transport of the stolen property. Deputies were able to connect the suspects to the original theft through video surveillance, witness statements and photographic evidence recovered during the investigation. As a result of this investigation, deputies submitted formal charges against two individuals for the following offenses: tampering (stealing) a motor vehicle, 2nd degree burglary and felony stealing. The investigation remains active, and the stolen 2015 white Chevrolet Silverado has not yet been recovered.

I commend the deputies for all their hard work throughout this investigation. Their attention to detail and commitment to this case demonstrate the high standard of investigative work our office strives for every day.

Calls for the Week:

Medical – Montgomery City

Follow Up – Montgomery City

Assist Children’s Division – New Florence

Assist Children’s Division – Bellflower

911 Open Line – New Florence

Follow Up – Montgomery City

Attempt To Contact – Wellsville

Civil Stand By – Loutre

911 Open Line – High Hill

Suspicious Person – New Florence

Public Service Request – Jonesburg

C & I – New Florence

C & I – New Florence

Attempt To Contact – Middletown

Motor Vehicle Accident – Middleton

Narcotic Activity – Montgomery City 

Motor Vehicle Accident – I-70

Civil Matter – High Hill

C & I – Wellsville

Investigation – Montgomery City

Alarm – Montgomery City

Follow Up – Bellflower

911 Accidental - New Florence

Motor Vehicle Accident – I-70

911 Open Line – Wellsville

Parking Violation – New Florence

Motor Vehicle Accident – New Florence

Citizen Assist – Montgomery City

Unwanted Subject – New Florence

911 Open Line – Bellflower

Follow Up – New Florence

Foot Patrol – High Hill

Public Service Request – New Florence

Motorist Assist – I-70

Follow Up – Montgomery City

Disturbance – Jonesburg

Medical – Rhineland

Motor Vehicle Accident – I-70 

Motor Vehicle Accident – New Florence

Threats – Jonesburg

Assist Children’s Division – Montgomery City

Motor Vehicle Accident – Rhineland

Walk In – Montgomery City

Civil Matter – New Florence

C & I – I-70

Walk In – Montgomery City

Disturbance – Jonesburg

Suspicious Activity – Middletown

Courtesy Ride – Montgomery City

Motor Vehicle Accident – Rhineland

Suspicious Vehicle – Danville

Public Service Request – Wellsville

Fire – Bellflower

Investigation – Wellsville   

Information – Montgomery City

Motor Vehicle Accident – Middletown

Stealing – Bellflower

Suspicious Activity – Danville

Special Assignment – Montgomery City

Public Service Request – Montgomery City

Arrest Attempt – New Florence

Traffic Hazard – Montgomery City

Citizen Assist – New Florence   

Unwanted Subject – New Florence

School Visit – Montgomery City

School Visit – Wellsville

School Visit – Montgomery City

Traffic Hazard – Wellsville

Animal Complaint – New Florence

Motor Vehicle Accident – Wellsville

Public Intoxication – New Florence

Public Service Request – Jonesburg

Suspicious Vehicle – Jonesburg

Assist Children’s Division – New Florence

Assist Warren County – Montgomery City

Parking Violation – New Florence

Motorist Assist – New Florence   

Suspicious Activity – High Hill

School Visit – Montgomery City

Information – Montgomery City

Citizen Assist – Wellsville 

Informational For Agency - Montgomery City

Driving While Suspended - Montgomery City

Informational For Agency - Jonesburg

Warrant Arrest - Jonesburg

Warrant Arrest - Montgomery County

Warrant Arrest - Montgomery City

Fraud - Wellsville

Suspicious Activity - Danville

Resist/Interfere Arrest - New Florence

Assist Other Agency - New Florence