A Sedalia man who claimed to be working on behalf of a federal agency when police arrested him last December has been indicted on charges of stealing and burglary.

The indictment handed down Thursday, Jan. 29 charges 22-year-old Ethan P Jones with felony burglary and armed criminal action, as well as misdemeanor stealing. According to a probable cause statement, Sedalia Police responded to a report Dec. 8 of multiple vehicles being burglarized near the intersection of Fifth and Moniteau. Officers say that nearby residents told them that they saw Jones entering one vehicle and taking two propane tanks and a box of shoes from it. Witnesses allege that Jones stole items from three different vehicles prior to his arrest. Officers say Jones also had on his possession someone’s Mexican passport, a Samsung cell phone, and a knife.

The probable cause statement notes that Jones claimed to witnesses and officers that he was a private investigator for a firm hired by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Jones said his job required the taking of items of evidentiary value; however, officers say Jones did not have contact info for a supervisor or a private investigator’s license. Police say the firm’s website does not mention the use of private investigators or affiliation with the DEA. Pettis County prosecutors did not file false impersonation charges against Jones.

Jones will face arraignment in Pettis County Circuit Court the morning of Feb. 17.