11.02.2009 5:39 pm

Probation for boat propeller thief

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Rick A. Howren, 46, of the 100 block of Grey Wolf Drive, pleaded guilty in St. Charles today of two counts of felony stealing for taking boat propellers. He was placed on probation.

Rick A. Howren

Howren paid about $11,000 in restitution, prosecutors said. They agreed to drop several other counts in exchange for his guilty plea. They also agreed to let him pay more restitution in lieu of facing more charges if investigators find other victims.

Police had said Howren stole at least two dozen boat propellers. He was caught after victims noticed their stolen propellers listed on eBay. More information is available on our Crime Beat blog.