Hook, Line, and Tracker: Woman Arrested After Taking Bait Trailer
- John Eads
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Moscow Mills, Mo — What appeared to be an easy pickup quickly turned into a tracked takedown after a woman hooked up to a trailer that was already being watched.
Michele D. Dove, of Montgomery City, Missouri
Charges
• Stealing – $750 or More
• Driving While Revoked/Suspended
The trailer had been placed days earlier near Highway MM and Majestic Lakes Boulevard in Moscow Mills.
By Monday morning, it started moving.
Deputies were alerted in real time as the trailer traveled through the area before pulling into a FastLane gas station parking lot.
That’s where the stop was made.
Dove was taken into custody without incident after the trailer was found hooked to a red Ford pickup.
She told deputies she believed the trailer was hers and said she planned to take it to the Sheriff’s Office to have it identified.
But there were problems with that explanation.
The trailer had no plate or identifying markings, didn’t match her own, and showed visible differences — including mismatched wheels and damage not present on the trailer she claimed was hers.
She also admitted she took it without permission and did not have proof of ownership when she hooked up and drove away.
The trailer, however, wasn’t just sitting there by chance — it belonged to Lincoln County and had been placed as part of an operation.
A tracker attached to the trailer is what led deputies directly to her location.
Further checks showed no report on file from Dove regarding a stolen trailer in recent years, despite her claim.
Records also showed her driving privileges are currently revoked, and she is on probation related to prior driving offenses.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you have any corrections, additional information, or tips regarding this case, contact Lincoln CountyWatch by calling or texting 636-377-0201 or emailing tips@LincolnCountyWatch.com.
We are not law enforcement, but we work to keep the community informed as accurately and responsibly as possible.
This story was written by John Eads.
Sources: Lincoln County court records.