A West Plains man is facing a second‑degree burglary charge after police say surveillance video and a traffic stop connected him to the theft of a woman’s wallet from her vehicle.
According to a probable cause statement, officers were called to the 1300 block of Bill Virdon on March 18 for a reported theft in progress. The victim told police a man driving a white Hyundai SUV parked beside her vehicle, got out wearing red sweatpants and a green shirt, and had “a multiple face tattoo.” She said he later put on a red sweatshirt, walked behind her vehicle, then returned and opened her passenger door, stealing her cow‑print Wrangler wallet containing identification, several credit and debit cards, Social Security cards, and $400 in cash.
“Returning to her passenger door of the vehicle opening it and stealing her cow print wrangler wallet…”
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage the next day. The video showed the suspect’s SUV entering the shopping center, dropping off a woman, and later picking her up after the theft. Enterprise staff identified the woman and confirmed she had rented the Hyundai seen in the footage.
“Enterprise was able to provide the name of the female and advised that the vehicle…was rented out to the female…”
Police later found the SUV in a parking lot on Preacher Roe and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Ricardo Llamas, matched the victim’s description. After being read his Miranda rights, Llamas told officers the vehicle belonged to his girlfriend — the same woman seen in the video — but denied involvement in the theft.
“The male, later identified as Richard Llamas…matched the description given by the victim.”
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, officers found a red sweatshirt and $183.50 in cash.
“A red sweatshirt was located with $183.50 cash.”
Police say Llamas’ appearance, his operation of the suspect vehicle, and his connection to the woman who rented it provided probable cause for the burglary charge.
His Bond is set at 10,000.
