Columbia man arrested for alleged burglary at downtown Columbia business

May 18, 2026 - 23:17

A Columbia man has been arrested and charged following a burglary that occurred over the weekend at a downtown business. Authorities responded to an alarm at the location of Art Underground, a local art gallery and studio space, early Sunday morning. Police arrived to find evidence of a forced entry, including a damaged door and signs of a ransacked interior.

The suspect, identified as a 34-year-old Columbia resident, was taken into custody later that day after investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area. The footage reportedly showed the man breaking into the building and removing several items. Officers located the suspect a few blocks from the scene, still in possession of some of the stolen property.

According to the police report, the stolen items included cash, a laptop, and various pieces of artwork. The total value of the stolen goods has not yet been released. The suspect is currently being held at the Boone County Jail on charges of second-degree burglary and stealing. His bond was set at $10,000.

The owner of Art Underground expressed relief that no one was injured during the incident but noted the disruption to their operations. The gallery plans to reopen later this week after repairs are made. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Columbia Police Department.