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Local Shoplifter Linked to Crimes In Other Areas

A shoplifter arrested at a local store Friday afternoon has been linked to thefts in Branson and possibly other areas.
The Ava Police department was contacted at about 3:30 Friday afternoon by the owner of Curtis’ Department Store in Ava regarding a shoplifter.
David Quackenbush informed Cpl. Tim Stuart that he had observed a female subject place several items into a large hand bag. Upon Cpl. Stuart’s arrival he made contact with a 55-year-old female, later identified as Kathleen Ash of Cuba, Mo.
Cpl. Stuart received consent to search Mrs. Ash’s handbag and recovered stolen merchandise from Curtis’ Department Store valued at more than $212.
During the inventory of Mrs. Ash’s SUV, Cpl. Stuart located several other items that he believed to have been stolen. After further investigation the officer was able to link several other items to a shoplifting incident in Branson.
The Branson  Police Department has been contacted and is currently investigating all incidents involving this case that occurred in their jurisdiction.
Cpl. Stuart has also been in contact with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) which is assisting in contacting loss prevention officers from all over the state informing them of this incident.