Ryan D. Brauner, 30, of Eldon, was charged last week with burglary in the second degree and stealing a firearm following an investigation by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office into the theft of several guns from a Bonnots Mill residence.
Det. Sgt. Victor Weir noted that eight guns were reported stolen on Sept. 11, 2020, including seven assault rifles and one black-powder rifle. The owner of the guns reviewed bills of sale and saw the only one missing was for Brauner.
At the time of the sale, Brauner was accompanied by a man who identified as his uncle. He was later identified as Wayne Distler, who lives next door to Brauner.
During an interview, Distler stated that Brauner stole the firearms and transported them to his father’s new residence in Eldon. On Dec. 31, Distler called Weir to say that Brauner intended to throw the rifles into the gun owner’s back yard. Four of the seven rifles were found inside a black soft case.
Distler told Weir that Brauner was planning to dispose of the remaining guns, and provided authorities with his address.
Weir accompanied the Miller County Sheriff’s Department to Brauner’s residence, which was found with the front door open and keys in the lock. A truck outside was running with keys, a phone, and a wallet inside.
Weir was given permission to clear the residence by Kim Brauner, but deputies did not find Ryan Brauner inside.
An hour later, deputies left and Weir was contacted by Distler, who asked if there were still deputies inside the residence. Brauner had called Distler to say he was hiding in the woods and was leaving when he thought it was safe to get rid of the remaining rifles.
Following a subsequent pursuit, Boone County authorities recovered a pistol that the owner had not noticed was missing.
Brauner was booked into the Osage County Jail and later released on a $5,000 bond. A bond hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 23.