Home invasion in Vernon County leads to arrest of El Dorado man

An El Dorado resident is in custody after an armed robbery took place west of Nevada last week. According to officials with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home intruder with a gun on Dec. 21. The suspect stole items from the residence and left shortly before deputies arrived.

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said detectives developed a suspect from a previous crime at the same residence and responded to an address in El Dorado Springs the following day (Dec. 22). With the assistance of the El Dorado Springs Police Department, a home was surrounded and a search warrant was applied for. During the incident, the suspect exited the home and surrendered to the police. A search warrant was served at the residence by detectives who located stolen items from the victim and a firearm believed to have been used during the crime.

The suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Tommy J. Toothaker, from El Dorado Springs, Mo. Charges have been filed against Toothaker for the home invasion and a previous theft of a vehicle. Charges against Toothaker include:

• Armed Criminal Action

• First-degree robbery

• First-degree burglary

• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

• Stealing–All Other

• Stealing–Motor Vehicle

Toothaker was transported to the Vernon Couty Jail on Dec. 22 and is being held with no bond. Sheriff Mosher said he would like to thank the El Dorado Springs Police Department for their assistance in this case. “When members of law enforcement work together, we can keep the public safer and place the bad guys in jail where they belong.”