Missouri

Here’s how a $20 tracker cracked a massive theft operation in Missouri — plus 3 ways to protect your own valuables

Published

1 year ago

February 27, 2025

Here’s how a tracker cracked a massive theft operation in Missouri — plus 3 ways to protect your own valuables

When the St. Louis County Parks Department purchased a $56,000 TimberKing Sawmill, it likely never expected the purchase would one day lead to the discovery of a multi-county theft operation.

“We purchased this [TimberKing Sawmill] so we could better utilize urban wood waste instead of just putting it into a dump,” Jason Pratte shared with NewsNation. “We kept it under lock and key — what we believed was a secure location.”

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Unfortunately, that location proved to be a lot less secure than the department had thought. The sawmill was eventually stolen, and even though park officials had placed an AirTag on the machine, the tag was unable to track the sawmill’s location.

“It always said no location found, no location found,” said Pratte. “I was starting to give up hope.”

AirTag activation leads to big discovery

For months, parks department officials waited for the AirTag to activate and reveal the location of the stolen sawmill. And then, out of nowhere, the $20 tracker was activated, giving the parks department exact GPS coordinates to where the sawmill could be found.

As it turns out, the AirTag was not activated when the sawmill was initially stolen because no one near the mill’s new location was using Apple technology, which apparently is needed for the tag’s GPS tracking to kick in. A police investigation revealed that the thieves eventually sold the sawmill to a man in Hawk Point who owned an iPhone, and it was the man’s mobile device that activated the AirTag on the sawmill.

“He gave us the information of the gentleman who sold it to him for an unbelievable price,” said detective Andrew Lucca of the Maryland Heights Police Department.

Authorities now believe the stolen sawmill was taken to a property in Wildwood, where it was stored for months before it was sold to the man in Hawk Point. During a visit to the Wildwood property, police discovered other equipment that was also believed to be stolen, including golf carts, a John Deere Gator UTV and two Bobcat skid loaders that are worth six figures each.

“Just a $20 AirTag tracker is what led, really, to this case being solved,” said Lucca.

While police were able to find those who committed the crimes and return the stolen property to its rightful owners, this story proves how important it is to take extra steps to ensure the safety of your valuable items.

Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here’s the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10)

3 ways to keep your possessions secure

If the parks department had not put the AirTag on its expensive sawmill, the thieves likely wouldn’t have been caught and all of their stolen goods could still be in their possession. But the parks department was wise enough to go the extra mile to protect its expensive and valuable item, and that’s a good lesson for all of us.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways for individuals to follow the parks department’s lead and protect their valuable possessions:

GPS tracker: Place a GPS tracking device, like an AirTag, on valuable items so that you can track their location if they ever go missing.
Mobile alerts: Set up mobile alerts with your banking apps so you can be notified of unusual activity on your accounts. If your credit card is stolen, or if your checking account has been hacked and cash has been withdrawn, you can find out right away and get in touch with your bank.
Store valuable items in a secure location: Consider installing a safe in your home for keeping valuable items. If a safe in your home isn’t an option, you may also consider a safe deposit box at a local bank.

Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

Published

12 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.

The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.

“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.

Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose.

Her office also submitted an FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and states health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.

American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.

Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now have an “enormous” demand, particularly among people who need pain management.

Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling on Friday.

McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.

“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties’ respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”

The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.

Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.

The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year, similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.

“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday.

“Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for May 10, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 7-2-5

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 9-6-8

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 7-1-9-9

Midday Wild: 1

Evening: 6-9-8-9

Evening Wild: 2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 10 drawing

Early Bird: 02

Morning: 11

Matinee: 10

Prime Time: 12

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 10 drawing

09-18-23-31-39

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71

BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) – A head-on collision on Highway 71 killed 3 people and seriously injured a 4th, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

State Troopers say the crash happened around 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, near the intersection of Highway 71 and 170th St. – about a mile and a half north of Burlington Junction.

Investigators say a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Carthage, Texas, was heading north on the highway when it crossed the centerline.

FILE(Ken Price, KCTV5)

The Chevrolet struck a southbound 2026 Ford Explorer head-on, according to MSHP. Both vehicles caught fire and came to rest in the southbound lane.

State Troopers note that the crash killed the Texas driver, a 67-year-old woman from Harlan, Iowa and a 76-year-old woman from Rockwell City, Iowa.

The Ford’s driver – a 72-year-old man from Rockwell City – was airlifted to Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, with serious injuries, according to first responders.

Troopers say all four people involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

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