From: Hannibal Police Department

Date: December 01, 2011

Phone: 573-221-0987

Fax: 573-221-3966

Contact: Lt. John Zerbonia

***UPDATE***

A warrant was issued in the 10th Judicial Court of Marion County on Steven W. Watkins, November 30th, charging him with 2 counts of Receiving Stolen Property, a Class C Felony. Bond was set at $25,000.00 cash only. Watkins remains in the Marion County Jail.

***ORIGINAL RELEASE***

On Tuesday afternoon, Officers of the Hannibal Police Department received information that a Hannibal resident has been stealing and selling ATV’s. Acting on the information, Detectives went to the 2500 block of Hope St. and contacted 48 year old Steven W. Watkins, of Hannibal. The Detectives received consent to search Watkins residence and located several stolen chain saws and a motorcycle, which had been reported stolen earlier Tuesday morning. While conducting the investigation at Watkins residence, the Detectives received information that more stolen property was possibly located at a residence in the 1200 block of Park Ave. Officers of the Hannibal Police Department went to Park Ave and discovered more stolen chain saws and a stolen ATV. Watkins was arrested for 2 counts of Tampering 1st Degree, receiving stolen property and Arson, stemming from an August, 2011 incident in the 2200 block of Spruce St. Hannibal Police Department Detectives worked in conjunction in the arson investigation with the Hannibal Fire Department Investigative Staff. Watkins was placed on a 24 hour hold in the Marion County Jail pending warrants.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.