Footprints In Snow Lead Police Straight To Burglary Suspects – Baby Left Alone While Suspects Burglarized Neighbor
805 E. Clay St. in Edina, MO
By Echo Menges
According to court documents, on Tuesday night, March 4, 2014, at approximately 8:00 p.m. an Edina resident living at 805 East Clay Street discovered his home had been burglarized.
The victim reported to police that someone entered through his kitchen window and stole $3,500 to $4,500 in mostly $100 bills, $150 to $200 in change, mostly quarters with a mix of old dimes, some wheat pennies and $1 gold coins, and a Norelco Razor.
801 E. Clay St. in Edina, MO
Upon further investigation law enforcement officials found two sets of footprints in the snow outside the victim’s kitchen window, which led to the house next door, 801 E. Clay Street.
The Probable Cause Statement submitted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office states, “It was visible that the footprints went from 801 E. Clay St. to the residence located at 805 E. Clay St. and then back again to 801 E. Clay St.”
801 (left) and 805 (right) E. Clay St. in Edina, MO
Members of the KCSO and Missouri State Highway Patrol repeatedly attempted to make contact with the people inside the residence where the burglars were suspected to be. Despite seeing movement and hearing voices law enforcement officials were unable to persuade the people inside the residence to open the door and a search warrant to search the house was obtained.
During the time the warrant was being sought one of the occupants of the house allegedly called 911 wanting to know what the police were doing at the place he was staying and allegedly stated he was going to assault the KCSO deputy attempting to gain entrance.
Kenneth H. Floyd Mug Shot
When police entered the residence they took two suspects into custody, Kenneth H. Floyd, 46, of Moberly and Richard Lee Elder, Jr., 20, of Edina. Also in the residence at the time the search warrant was served was a seven-month-old baby belonging to Amber Floyd, who resides at the home.
Richard Lee Elder, Jr. Mug Shot
While conducting a search of the home police found a billfold containing over $2000 lying on the kitchen table, comprised mostly of $100 bills, a zip lock bag containing mostly quarters, some dimes, pennies and assorted gold coins, and over $1600 under the kitchen stove, also comprised mostly of $100 bills. Approximately $20 worth of quarters was also found thrown into the crawlspace of the residence.
Floyd, who was being held in the back of a KCSO patrol car after being taken into custody climbed out the back window of the car and attempted to flea the scene on foot by heading south on East 6th Street. He was recaptured by police a few blocks away.
After questioning the suspects Floyd allegedly admitted his role in the burglary. According to the Probable Cause Statement Floyd admitted he entered 805 E. Clay Street because he was told by Elder that there was “a bunch of change inside” and that he let Elder in the front door of the residence after breaking into the kitchen window.
Both men are facing multiple charges including one count each of burglary in the second degree and theft/stealing, both Class C felonies.
Also, Floyd is facing a Class D felony charge for attempting to escape from custody while under arrest and Elder is facing a charge of endangering the welfare of the child in the first degree, a Class C felony, for allegedly leaving the seven-month-old baby alone while the burglary was taking place. Elder is also facing two misdemeanor charges, visibly intoxicated minor with a blood alcohol of over 0.02 and misusing 911.
The baby in question, whose name is being withheld because the child is a minor, was left in the custody of the mother, Amber Floyd, after it was determined by law enforcement she had no knowledge of and was not involved in the burglary.
This is the second time the baby has been involved in a situation involving law enforcement in as many months. On February 4, 2014, an endangered person advisory was issued for the baby after the mother reported the child missing to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The child was recovered safely in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the following day and returned to the mother.
Both suspects, Floyd and Elder, are being held in the Lewis County Jail each on $25,000 cash only bonds. The men are scheduled to make their first appearances in Knox County Associate Court before Judge Tom Redington on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.
