LINN — On April 2, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, arrested Heather E. McMaster of Linn a day after law enforcement responded to a reported burglary and theft at an Osage County property. She has been charged with second-degree burglary and stealing ($750 or more).

Sheriff Mike Bonham noted the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be considered. “We would like to thank the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force for their assistance in the case,” he said.

The investigation began after the victim reported seeing a female, later identified as McMaster, on security camera footage stealing multiple items from the property on March 28. The footage showed McMaster entering the premises at approximately 2:42 a.m. and leaving around 3:29 a.m. Investigators learned that the victim’s supervisors recognized McMaster from her previous employment at the location.

The stolen property included a variety of tools, personal items, and electronics, estimated valued at a total of $2,340, including: four M18 Milwaukee Impacts ($259 each), a M12 Milwaukee Impact ($139), two 120-volt Milwaukee heat guns ($130 each), a Milwaukee Sawzall ($249), a Milwaukee drill ($159), two Milwaukee M18 batteries ($115 each), a large set of Milwaukee bits ($79), a black metal Otterbox 28oz water bottle ($28), a black laptop backpack ($80), a silver braided iPhone charger ($15), a 25-foot yellow tape measure ($15), wireless Bluetooth earbuds ($25), and a pair of black hand warmers ($25).

Security footage shows that after the theft, McMaster loaded the stolen items into a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu registered to her significant other. Investigators confirmed McMaster’s identity through prior interactions in law enforcement.

During a search of McMaster’s residence on CR 804 in Linn, officers recovered several stolen items from the Malibu’s trunk.

McMaster admitted in a post-Miranda interview with Sgt. Ricky Jarvis to stealing the property. She claimed to have received permission from a family member who was a current employee of the victim. However, after contacting the family member, investigators confirmed that McMaster did not have permission to enter the property or take any items. Furthermore, law enforcement established that the victim had not employed McMaster for over a year.

McMaster posted a $5,000 bond and was released from the Osage County Detention Center. She is due to appear before Judge Sonya Brandt at 10 a.m. on April 15.