Colombian national pleads guilty to burglary and assault in Neosho

A Colombian national has plead guilty and been sentenced for his role in two home burglaries last April on the north side of Neosho, Missouri.

22-year-old Edgar Samuel Aldana-Reyes entered a guilty plea to first-and-second degree burglary and second-degree assault.

He was sentenced to 12 years on the first-degree burglary, 7 years on the second-degree burglary and 7 years on the assault charge.

Lesser counts of resisting arrest and Armed Criminal Action were dismissed.

Aldana-Reyes and another individual entered two homes in Neosho on April 19, 2024, and stole designer handbags at the first residence and assaulted a homeowner at the second residence.

A home-security alarm alerted the first homeowner who then contacted the police.

As law enforcement approached the scene, officers saw the two subjects fleeing the second home involved in the burglary and being chased by the second homeowner, at whom the other individual had brandished a screwdriver as a weapon.

The two were apprehended shortly thereafter. It is believed that additional involved subjects were able to evade identification and apprehension.

“Edgar Aldana-Reyes will spend substantial time in the Missouri Department of Corrections  before being released to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is an illegal alien that chose to victimize the wrong community, and today was held accountable for his crimes,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. “I am thankful for the courage of these victims who were patient throughout this process, were bravely willing to face the defendant in court, and worked closely with our victim advocate and myself to ensure justice is served.”