The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

OSAGE COUNTY, MO -- Burglars are targeting vacation homes along the Osage River.

Residents tell our Crime Tracker Team that at least five homes have been ransacked and that there could be others because owners have left for the winter.

The owner of this cabin is furious because early this week someone broke-in and ransacked the place.

"They tried prying all the doors open, but they couldn't get in that way. So they busted this glass out and opened it up, Osage River cabin owner said. “All the electronic stuff was taken, anything of value they took. They stole the gas, batteries, and all the things like that."

His cabin wasn't the only one robbed and vandalized.

"In this particular instance we know that the two lots next to us all three buildings, they got into those. They stole all the stereo equipment, electronic stuff out all the boats and all the batteries that we're next door to us,” the owner said.

The owner of this lot said this isn't the first time some has stole from him. He says last summer someone stole a bunch of stuff out of boats and campers from almost everybody down here.

"More security would definitely help just to let people know that yeah this is being paroled. Right now they're having their free run with it because they know know there is only a couple of permanent residents down here,” the owner said. “Once they get their schedules figured out they can have the place to themselves down here."

The owner also said since they're stuck between two counties they rarely see law enforcement in the area.

Osage Delta Road is in on the Cole county side of the river, but because of its remote location, it has been assigned to Osage County for law enforcement purposes.

I spoke with the Osage County Sheriff's office and they told me that it's hard for them to patrol the area because they only have one deputy on duty every night and he has to cover nearly 600 square miles.

But they said they are still investigating the burglaries.

The residents that live on Osage Delta Road ask that if you know anything about the burglaries to call th Osage County Sheriff's office at 573-897-2285.