Old Pioneer Market thanks community after arrest in burglary case

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JACKSON, Mo., (KBSI) — Old Pioneer Market has announced that a suspect believed to be responsible for a recent burglary has been taken into custody.

The business expressed relief and gratitude, saying they are “beyond relieved — and honestly still a little in shock — to share that the burglar who broke into our market has been caught.” While the case will proceed to trial, the market said they are “very certain this is him.”

The owners thanked the community for their overwhelming support, crediting social media and community involvement for helping identify the suspect. “Your support, compassion, and willingness to rally behind us reminded us how strong and caring our community truly is,” the business said.

According to the Jackson Police Department, officers responded to Old Pioneer Market on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at approximately 10:50 a.m. for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, the victim told officers she discovered foreign currency on the floor near a glass display cabinet that had been opened and emptied. Surveillance footage showed a white male, approximately 50 years old, bald, wearing black-framed glasses, a black “Green Day” shirt, and a black jacket, inside the business between 7:18 and 7:20 a.m.

The man was seen near Booth #95, a white display cabinet secured with a light-duty key lock, which investigators noted could be easily manipulated without tools. Video showed the suspect carrying a large storage tote toward the rear exit, where the door’s locking mechanism could also be bypassed with little effort.

The victim reported that numerous collectible coins, valued at more than $1,000, were stolen.

Through the investigation, detectives compared surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Richard Oscar Jenkins, of Cape Girardeau County. Additional video from nearby businesses and Flock license plate cameras showed a black Lincoln Navigator (Missouri registration LK9K4R) traveling to and from the area at the time of the burglary. The vehicle is registered to Jenkins.

On Oct. 6, 2025, investigators received an alert from Leads Online, a database that tracks pawned or sold items, indicating that the stolen coins had been sold to a private coin collector in Springfield, Mo. Photos from the transaction showed Jenkins’ Missouri ID card and the stolen coins, confirming his identity.

Investigators contacted the buyer, an independent coin and precious metals dealer named Gooch, who provided detailed photographs of the purchased items, including:

• Eisenhower Silver Dollar (1)
• Steel War Pennies (two sets of three)
• 1912 Barber Half Dollar (pure silver)
• Peace Dollars (1922 and 1923)
• American Presidents Series Coins
• Proof Sets (4)
• 50 States Quarter Collection
  (Estimated total value: $1,000)

All items were confirmed to match those stolen from the Old Pioneer Market.

Investigators later located Jenkins’ vehicle in Branson on Oct. 5 and in Springfield on Oct. 6, according to Flock camera records. The stolen items were recovered, and Jenkins signed documentation confirming he sold them.

On Oct. 7, 2025, investigators located Jenkins’ romantic partner, who said Jenkins was in Malden, Mo., and admitted to driving him due to his suspended license. She also confirmed Jenkins had sold “a gold nugget” in Springfield.

Authorities confirmed that Jenkins is currently on probation in Missouri for a prior burglary conviction.

The Old Pioneer Market owners said the experience has been “emotional and exhausting” but also a reminder of the community’s kindness and unity.

“Here’s to brighter days ahead — and to a community that always has each other’s backs,” their statement read.