Tipton man charged with Jefferson City car thefts after weekend break-in

A Tipton man has been charged with thefts from Jefferson City car dealerships last month.

Bryson Skinner, 21, is charged with two counts of felony stealing.

Skinner allegedly admitted to "committing numerous other thefts with numerous victims," according to Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statements.

Employees of Jefferson City Hyundai on Missouri Boulevard on Sept. 29 found five new vehicles parked to the rear of the business had their batteries stolen from the engine compartments. Each battery is valued at $200.

The business' video surveillance system captured a truck on the property while the business was closed at night. A neighboring business on Oct. 2 located a truck similar to what was seen on the surveillance video abandoned in the woods behind their business. The vehicle was registered to Skinner.

Also Sept. 29, employees of Jefferson City Nissan on Missouri Boulevard found a used vehicle on their lot was missing.

Skinner was caught Oct. 14 breaking into Goldstar Recycling on Empire Drive and was subsequently charged with one count of second-degree burglary in that case. After he was questioned following his arrest, Skinner admitted to taking the vehicle from the Nissan dealership to conduct other thefts in Moniteau County. He also admitted to stealing the vehicle batteries from the Hyundai dealership.