Cape man charged with burglary, theft

Editor's note: This story has been edited from its original version to clarify that an arrest warrant has been issued for Pardon, but he is not in custody.

A Cape Girardeau man is accused of trying to pawn costume jewelry he stole, but when the pawn shop low-balled him on the price, he left the rings in the bathroom of a Jackson gas station.

A warrant has been issued for Michael W. Pardon, 38. He is charged with felony burglary and felony theft.

On Dec. 31, a woman reported a burglary at her duplex apartment in the 300 block of Timber Lane Drive in Cape Girardeau County, according to a probable-cause statement from Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jamie Mulugen.

The victim reported several items stolen, including a laptop, several costume jewelry rings and bracelets, a Blu-ray DVD of “San Andreas,” a set of wine glasses and an antique candelabra, Mulugen wrote. The woman told the deputy the only way to access her apartment was from an adjacent apartment.

Mulugen interviewed the woman’s neighbor, who recognized the antique candelabra, Mulugen wrote. On Dec. 31, Pardon was staying with the neighbor and her boyfriend and asked them whether the victim was ever home, according to the report. That is when the neighbor noticed the candelabra, Mulugen wrote.

On Jan. 4, Jackson police took a report of jewelry found in the men’s bathroom of the Mercato service station, Mulugen wrote. An employee found seven rings and a pendant, including one ring that had the victim’s name inscribed inside. Using surveillance footage, the victim’s neighbor identified Pardon entering the bathroom, Mulugen wrote.

The neighbor’s boyfriend had taken Pardon to the gas station after they had visited a pawn shop in Sikeston, Missouri, according to the probable-cause statement. Pardon told him he was trying to sell a couple of rings, but the pawnshop low-balled him on the price.

Pardon’s bond was set at $20,000.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

2684 E. Main St., Jackson, Mo.