Three in Perryville face burglary, theft charges

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Three Perryville residents are in custody at the Perry County Jail after being recently arrested for allegedly breaking into several Perry County homes in March and April.

Jesse Wages, 25, and Jennifer Difani, 19, were arrested April 29. Zachary Runge, 23, was arrested May 1.

All face felony burglary and theft charges; Runge and Difani face vehicle theft charges.

Four Perryville homes were broken into, and a variety items, including two vehicles, were reported missing.

At 535 Friendly Valley Lane, a 2004 Dodge Ram was stolen April 5. It was left unlocked and the key was left in the ignition, the property owners told officer Blane Kohm, according to a Perry County police report. Three chain saws, two saws and a trimmer were also reported stolen from the owners' shed.

Jesse Wages

In his report, Kohm said the truck was recovered after a Perry County resident reported it parked on County Road 816. Two of the chain saws reported missing were recovered from a Perryville resident who said he bought them from Difani and Wages for $100.

On March 27, caretakers of a home at 2819 County Road 910 told police they discovered a back door open when they were checking on the property. A DVD player, television and a jewelry box were reported missing by the owners. Additional items, including a toaster and remote controls, were moved inside the residence but not stolen. Perry County deputy Bob Brown wrote in his report that he collected the moved items to check for fingerprints.

A second vehicle, a 1996 Mercury Sable, was reported stolen at 10 County Road 910 on March 21.

And on March 6, the owner of a home at 1784 County Road 800 reported his home broken into, where alcohol, lawn ornaments, $400 in quarters, a set of truck keys and prescription medication were missing.

The deputy who responded to the residence said he collected fingerprints and an empty 12-ounce soda can the owner said wasn't there when he left the residence three days before he discovered the burglary.

Jennifer Difani

Wages is scheduled to appear for his preliminary hearing June 1, and Runge will appear before a judge again for his preliminary hearing June 22. Both are being on a $5,000 cash-only bond. According to Missouri Casenet, no court date is set for Difani.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

535 Friendly Valley Lane, Perryville, MO

2819 County Road 910, Perryville, MO

10 County Road 910, Perryville, MO

1784 County Road 800, Perryville, MO