Springfield police arrest man suspected in 20 home burglaries

Police say a Springfield man arrested this week is a suspect in 20 residential burglaries in the southeast part of town.

Robert J. Rushing, 33, has been charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of stealing, but police say he confessed to several other burglaries and additional charges are likely.

Rushing is being held in the Greene County Jail on $150,000 bond.

According to a probable cause statement used to charge Rushing on Wednesday, a resident reported that her home on the 2900 block of East Lacuna Street was burglarized sometime Friday afternoon.

The front door was kicked open and several items were stolen including personal documents, jewelry and a PlayStation, the statement says.

Police say there were numerous residential burglaries in the southeast part of Springfield in August and September in which the front door was forced open and electronics and jewelry were stolen, according to the statement.

Rushing became a suspect when his girlfriend allegedly sold the PlayStation from the Lacuna Street burglary at a Springfield pawnshop, the statement says.

Rushing was arrested Tuesday.

Police interviewed Rushing at the jail and he told officers he committed the burglary on Lacuna Street, a similar burglary from August on the 3300 block of East Republic Road and several other burglaries in the area, according to the statement.

A bond recommendation document says police found property from several other cases when they searched Rushing’s home.

Documents say Rushing is a prior and persistent felony offender with convictions for burglary, theft and distribution of a controlled substance.

Rushing does not have an attorney listed for this case.

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