Springfield man sentenced for summer-long property crime spree

A Springfield man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a summer-long property crime spree in which prosecutors say he stole more than $100,000 in money, goods and vehicles from Greene County residents and businesses — at one point even defecating inside one of the cars he stole.

Zachary Allen Neal, 28, pleaded guilty Feb. 19 to two counts of identity theft, two counts of trafficking in stolen identities, three counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, tampering a motor vehicle and forgery.

The incidents related to the charges all took place between June and August 2014, according to a news release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Neal burglarized home garages, stealing vehicles — along with credit cards, check books and other materials inside — that he would then drive to the site of his next burglary. The news release say that in addition to defecating inside one of the cars, Neal wrote "North Side 417" on the interior of one vehicle with marker.

Neal also stole credit cards when a shopper left a wallet on a store check-out counter momentarily while collecting bags, according to the release. Prosecutors say he racked up thousands of dollars in charges on another victim's credit cards over a two-day period at multiple locations.

The Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office encourages citizens to never leave valuables in any unattended vehicle, and asks businesses to request proof of identification for credit card purchases, and to be particularly aware of when someone attempts to use more than one credit card after being declined initially.

Prior to the crime spree, Neal had eighteen prior felony convictions, including assault of a law enforcement office, according to the release. He was released from prison on parole in April 2014.