Man charged with stealing motorcycle

Auden Vaneperen of Gainesville is charged with tampering in the first degree after he allegedly stole and returned a motorcycle belonging to another Gainesville man.

According to the probable cause statement filed by Sgt. Seth Miller of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department, a woman reported that her brother’s 2003 Yamaha V-Star motorcycle had been taken from her Gainesville residence on July 19. 

Miller said that the sister called the department on July 23 and reported that the motorcycle
had been returned to her property. 

According to Miller, a confidential source stated that Vaneperen had taken the motorcycle and later returned it to avoid being caught with it.

Miller said he spoke with Vaneperen on Aug. 1 at a residence near Gainesville. Vaneperen allegedly told Miller that he had taken the motorcycle and placed it in a wooded area near the residence until he could get a trailer to move it. Vaneperen said he later returned the bike to avoid law enforcement action. 

Vaneperen was taken into custody and transported to the Ozark County Jail where he filled out a statement.

If convicted, tampering in the first degree is a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in the Department of Corrections or a fine up to $10,000.