Felony Vehicle Theft
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Subject: Felony Stealing Arrest
Date: August 25, 2025
Incident Details:
Arrested Individual: Douglas K. Howes, age 53, of Quincy, Illinois
Arrest Date: August 21, 2025
Arrest Location: La Belle, Missouri
Arrest Agency: Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Charge: Class D felony, stealing without consent.
Incident Background:
Date of Incident: August 12, 2025
Location: La Belle, Missouri
Time: N/A
Details: On August 12, 2025, members of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office received a report of a stolen vehicle from a victim in La Belle, Missouri. The victim reported a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle had been stolen during the early morning hours. Upon further investigation, deputies learned the Marion County Sheriff's Office had recovered the vehicle in Marion County and the vehicle had been towed. The investigation led to Douglas K. Howes, as a primary suspect.
On August 21, 2025, Deputy Steve Battaglia was on patrol in rural La Belle, Missouri, when he observed Douglas Howes operating a motor vehicle north of La Belle. He then conducted a traffic stop for failure to signal. He continued to investigate the vehicle theft and, based on new information, he arrested Mr. Howes for theft of the Volkswagen Beetle. Deputy Battaglia then sought formal charges through the Lewis County Prosecutor Chelsea Fellinger. On August 22, 2025, Prosecutor Fellinger filed one count of the class D felony of felony stealing without consent and requested a warrant.
The Honorable Corey Moon, Associate Judge, then issued a warrant for Mr. Howes.
He remains lodged in the Lewis County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash only bond.
Howes is currently on parole through the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
"All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
Contact Information:
Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Phone: 573-767-5287
