Reward offered for information on robbery

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has announced it is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary of the post office at Knob Lick last month.

The reward was announced by Stacy Hutchens, a postal inspector investigating the case. Persons with information can contact Hutchens at 314-539-9300. The inspector indicated he will accept collect calls from those who have information pertaining to the case.

Residents may also contact the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department at 756-3252 with their information as the two agencies are cooperating in the investigation.

The post office at Knob Lick is located in Bailey’s Grocery Store on Route DD, just east of U.S. 67. It was broken into sometime between 8 p.m. on May 25 and 8 a.m. the next morning.

The burglars first broke into the grocery story by breaking through a back wall to the structure, Sheriff Dan Bullock said. After inside the store, they forced open a door to that portion of the same building that serves as a post office.

As far as the store was concerned, Bullock said, the thieves did not get a lot for their effort. They took some change and a small quantity of cigarettes. They also took the time to eat sandwiches and drank a soft drink and a beer while in the business.

The sheriff said the burglars also apparently got a small amount of change from the post office, but he could not say what else was taken. Bullock indicated the federal officer handled that portion of the investigation. There were some other items taken from the post office, but the sheriff did not have the details.

There were several indications that at least two people were involved in the burglary, the sheriff said without being specific as to what that information was. He also indicated there was physical evidence that investigators believe can be helpful in identifying the intruders once they have been arrested.

Bullock said it is quite likely that those responsible for the burglary will be charged both in the state and federal courts for this burglary. He said the investigation is continuing by both his department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The reward notice issued by the U.S. Postal Service indicated all information provided to the Postal Inspection Service will be kept confidential.