AVA, Mo. — A Cabool woman was taken into custody last week following an investigation into an unreturned rental truck located at a rural Douglas County residence.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were contacted on Feb. 18 regarding a U-Haul box truck that had not been returned after the rental period had expired. The vehicle, a 2024 GMC 10-foot truck valued at approximately $47,000, had been rented for a one-day period earlier in the month. Payments on the rental reportedly stopped several days later, and the truck was not returned.
Law enforcement officials identified an address in eastern Douglas County associated with the rental agreement. The following day, deputies observed a U-Haul box truck parked at the property while traveling along State Highway 181. The truck matched the description of the unreturned rental.
Upon entering the property, deputies confirmed the vehicle’s identification number and out-of-state license plate. A resident at the location advised that Kaylea Owen, 35, was not at home at the time but was working in Cabool. Authorities made contact with Owen by phone and were advised that she was in possession of the vehicle key.
Deputies traveled to Owen’s workplace in Cabool, where the key was retrieved. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement also learned Owen had an active felony warrant from another Missouri county. The Cabool Police Department was notified and assisted with taking Owen into custody.
The rental truck was later towed from the Douglas County property and secured by authorities.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
