TEENS FACE MORE CHARGES IN CRIME SPREE

JACKSON, Mo. -- Additional burglary and theft charges were filed against two 18-year-olds on Wednesday who led police on a multi-state manhunt last month, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said.

Benjamin H. Brase of Sikeston, Mo., faces five additional felony charges and Michael Dean Wilkins of DeSoto, Mo., has one more felony after further investigation of burglaries and car thefts along a county road near Whitewater, Mo., prosecutor Morley Swingle said.

Brase's new charges are felony stealing, burglary and three counts of misdemeanor stealing. He was originally charged with felony stealing and burglary after four homes reported burglaries and two cars were stolen on County Road 253 on Feb. 7.

Wilkins, previously charged with stealing one vehicle, is now charged with two felony vehicle thefts.

The two alleged burglars eluded law enforcement for two days, eventually traveling to Gulf Shores, Ala., before they were arrested by police at a motel.

Both Wilkins and Brase are to have a preliminary hearing on Tuesday to determine if enough evidence is present to bind them over for arraignment.

Vehicle theft is a class C felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. First-degree burglary is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.