Family Photos, Military Medals And Personal Keepsakes Recovered After Troy Storage Unit Burglary

Troy, Mo. — A storage unit dispute turned into felony charges after a woman found her lock cut, her belongings missing, and later pointed deputies to messages allegedly warning that her unit would be emptied.

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John Thomas Harding, of Elsberry, Missouri.

Harding remains in custody at the Lincoln County Jail after Judge James D. Beck issued a $5,000 bond with 10% authorized. Bond conditions include no contact with the alleged victim and GPS monitoring prior to release. No court date has been listed as of publication.

Charges:

• Burglary — 2nd Degree

• Stealing — $750 Or More

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The case began yesterday, May 21 after a woman went to her storage unit in the Troy area and found the lock cut off the door. Several personal belongings were missing, including family keepsakes, tools, security cameras, antique items, and boxes containing sentimental property.

Coverage supported by Carter Family Chiropractic.

The woman told deputies she believed Harding, her ex-boyfriend, was involved. She also provided messages where Harding allegedly said he was going to the storage locker and taking everything until his own belongings were returned.

Surveillance from the storage facility later showed an older white Dodge truck with a flatbed entering the property. The truck was reportedly linked to Harding, who had rented a unit at the same facility earlier in the month.

When the woman reviewed images from the surveillance footage, she identified the truck and noticed some of her belongings loaded on the back.

Later that evening, deputies found Harding on Highway B pulling a camper. During the stop, Harding allegedly admitted taking the items, saying he was not denying anything and claimed he did it to make a statement and get his belongings back.

Deputies later recovered multiple items from the camper, including family photos, military medals, an antique painting, jewelry, security cameras, tools, fishing equipment, a horse saddle, and other personal property.

The recovered items were valued at approximately $3,510.

Coverage supported by Self-Maid Cleaning Services — providing detailed residential cleaning services across Lincoln County and surrounding communities.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If you have corrections or additional information regarding this case, contact Lincoln CountyWatch at tips@LincolnCountyWatch.com or call/text 636-377-0201.

Lincoln CountyWatch is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.

Story by John Eads

Sources:

• Lincoln County Circuit Court records

• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office probable cause statement