02/05/10 - Decatur County

By: Nick Austin
naustin@wbbjtv.com
8:00 p.m.
 
Recovered items from a rash of recent burglaries in Parsons include rifles and a GPS system to name a just two. However, local law enforcement officials did a double take when they received a call about one unusual stolen item. 

"A professional wrestling ring," said Investigator Joe Vaughn of the Parsons police department.  They couldn't figure out what the motive was behind it.  "We don't have any clue as to who could've taken it or why they would've taken it," Vaughn added.
 
The ring belonged to Michael Dickson, a local resident who is pursuing an amateur wrestling career on the side.  He had torn down the ring to temporarily store in on the back porch of an unoccupied family property.  When his aunt went to check on the house, she noticed the ring was missing.  "She called and asked if I had moved it because we were in the process of moving it to a storage building to get it in a secure spot.  Unfortunately, too late," said Dickson.
 
It was a setback not only to his future plans, but to his bank account as well.  The custom-made ring cost him a pretty penny.  "I'm really upset about it.  I try not to think too much about it.  It bothers me because that's $6000 that's down the drain."
 
Parsons police officers believe at least two people are involved in the theft because of the heavy weight of the ring's components.  They are doing all they can to find the ring and items not yet recovered from other thefts.  "The mayor has authorized us to work as much overtime as we needed to solve these crimes," stated Investigator Vaughn.
 
Three people are in custody in connection with the recent thefts but it has not been determined if any of them are responsible for the stolen wrestling ring.