Burglary loot on display as Roseville police try to get it home to its original owners

The items -- including coins, cash and jewelry -- were taken in a rash of burglaries in several cities.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: October 9, 2008 - 10:52 PM

Roseville police are trying to reunite some burglary victims with their missing property after the arrest of two suspects in a rash of burglaries and the recovery of some apparently stolen goods.

On Wednesday, the Police Department posted several photos on its website of items recovered in the investigation and announced the procedure for those who want to reclaim their property.

Capt. Rick Mathwig said that process would begin with obtaining a copy of the police report -- from the city where the burglary happened -- and then compiling a list of missing items. With that information in hand, burglary victims should make an appointment with Roseville Police to view the recovered property.

The effort stems from the Sept. 23 arrests of Modie Junior Jones, 47, and Mark Anthony Bowie, 46, as they attempted to load a television taken from a house on the 2200 block of Oxford Street into a vehicle. Police also linked Jones and Bowie to a burglary the same day on the 2100 block of Victoria Street.

The men were charged with two counts of second-degree burglary.

Since then, Roseville police have linked the men to two other home burglaries in Roseville and eight others in St. Paul and Falcon Heights. They have not been charged in those crimes. Jones and Bowie are being held in the Ramsey County Jail, Mathwig said.

Police issued a crime alert in early September after recording 20 daytime residential burglaries in the south and eastern section of the city since June. In nearly all the burglaries, the thieves entered through unlocked doors, windows or garages. In some cases they forced open doors and windows. Losses included coins, cash, cameras, electronics and jewelry.

Pictures of the recovered property are posted at the Roseville Police Department's website at www.ci.roseville.mn.us/index.asp?nid=17.

To make an appointment, call 651-792-7217.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768

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