Mother, daughter arrested in connection with burglary

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- A mother and daughter from East Prairie face felony charges after a burglary investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

Janet Marie Williams, 53, and Laura Jean Williams, 28, both are charged with second-degree burglary and stealing, both felonies punishable by up to seven years in the state prison.

Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore said the investigation began last week, when a county resident contacted the sheriff's department to report clothing and jewelry stolen from her home.

Officers learned several stolen items were sold at a yard sale hosted by the Williamses the previous week.

Based on that information, deputies contacted several residents who visited the yard sale and, with their cooperation, returned several items to their rightful owner, Moore said.

Williams (Laura)

A short time later, a deputy found the Williamses in East Prairie and arranged for both to be taken to the sheriff's department for questioning.

The mother and daughter participated in separate videotaped interviews, during which deputies developed probable cause to believe both were responsible for the burglary.

Both women were arrested and booked into the Mississippi County Detention Center.