Two Burlington residents have been arrested in connection with what authorities say was a widespread theft, burglary and robbery case that has been investigated for most of the year.
Ashley Owen, 19, and Dante Pifer, 20, were recently arrested as the investigation continues. Formal charges are pending, but Owen was held on a $150,000 bond and Pifer was held on a $100,000 bond, according to Sheriff Randy Rogers.
The overall case has been under investigation since February after a series of auto burglaries and business burglaries and an armed robbery of the Burlington Pizza Hut. In all, nearly 20 combined incidents were reported in Burlington, Gridley, Lebo, New Strawn and Waverly through September.
On Oct. 23, law enforcement officers took a report of a lottery ticket theft from an unspecified Coffey County business. After a search warrant was approved, deputies say they discovered evidence related to the aforementioned burglaries and robbery. Owen and Pifer were then arrested.
Rogers says some of the stolen property has been recovered and returned to rightful owners. The investigation continues through the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office and Burlington Police Department.
