Dexter burglary suspect facing 23 charges

DEXTER, MO (AP) - A burglary suspect in Dexter, Missouri is in custody thanks to tips from citizens.

Police say the wanted man, Edward Lusk, 49, was found in a trailer inside city limits.

He was charged with seven counts of second degree burglary, seven counts of first degree property damage, four counts of theft/stealing, two counts of first degree property damage - damage to motor vehicle with intent to steal, one count of second degree arson, one count of attempted second degree burglary and one count of resisting arrest for a felony.

They say he also had an active felony warrant from another case in Stoddard County.

Lusk was considered dangerous and the suspect in several burglaries.

One of them was a burglary at a Dexter, Mo. daycare. Others include a Dexter restaurant, bakery, an automotive shop, two other buildings in Dexter, a law office and Extreme Skate.

According to court documents, on Aug. 25, officers responded to the Small Wonders Child Development Center, at First Baptist Church, in reference to a report of a burglary.

During the investigation, officers reviewed video surveillance from the church and identified the suspect as Edward Lusk.

Staff at the daycare reported food products and money was stolen, along with numerous office supplies.

The Dexter Police Department responded to several other business burglaries where it was believed the same suspect was responsible.

Two of the businesses, Ringer Law Firm and Dexter Automotive reportedly had fire damage.

According to court documents, items reported stolen from area businesses include:

• July 10 - Food and money reported stolen from Battles Communications building on N. Harris
• July 12 - Money reported stolen from John Ringer Law Firm on E. Vine
• July 15 - Property damage by flooding the business with water reported at Extreme Skate on N. Walnut
• Aug. 2 - Attempted burglary, property damage only, reported at Parsons Law Firm on N. Elm
• Aug. 2 - Food and drink reported stolen, along with property damage by flooding from water, reported at Faye's Bakery on E. Bus. 60
• Aug. 2 - Property damage to several vehicles, as well as inside the building, reported at Dexter Automotive on E. Bus. 60
• Aug. 24 - Food and money reported stolen from Small Wonders Child Development Center/First Baptist Church on W. Caster
• Aug. 24 - Money and alcohol reported stolen from El Cabrito on W. Bus. 60

According to court documents, Lusk said the fires at Ringer Law Firm and Dexter Automotive were accidental from smoking.

One Dexter resident said the burglaries were close to her home.

"I told my husband, wow this is crazy. Everything within five blocks," Tina Malone said. "We need to lock everything up."

Police say when officers first went to make contact with Lusk, he ran from the home.

Investigators then set up a perimeter in the area of Missouri 25 and Thrower Street and were using a K-9 to track him.

Multiple departments searched for Lusk including the Dexter Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department.

A witness said that the suspect approached him while running from police and said "they were after him."

The witness said before the suspect made contact with him he tried to force himself into another person's car to take him somewhere.

Lusk was booked on a parole absconder warrant.

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