Matthew M. Burgoyne, 27, who lives at the Northridge Apartments in Wright City, was charged last week with two felonies: one count of stealing and one count of institutional vandalism. He is in custody at the Warren County Jail in lieu of a $20,000 cash bond. Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison said deputies from his department recovered two pieces of the 35-by-25-inch plaque last week in a wooded area near the home of Burgoyne's mother, who lives on Highway D in Marthasville. The two pieces, each about 5 inches long, were recovered on property adjoining the residence of the suspect's mother, authorities said. Authorities said several family members, including Burgoyne's mother, helped them recover the remains of the plaque. "The rest of the plaque is gone," said Harrison. "It's probably been melted down somewhere and we'll never see it again." Harrison said the suspect is believed to have cut the plaque into several small pieces and sold the metal to two salvage companies, one in Washington and another in St. Peters. Detective. Scott Schoenfeld visited several salvage companies within the area in an attempt to locate evidence that the suspect sold the bronze metal from the plaque to them. The interest in Burgoyne developed after a tip from a local citizen, according to authorities. "We really want to thank that resident," praised Harrison. "The tip they supplied started the process of us being able to clear this case. The information supplied absolutely pointed us in the right direction." Harrison said Burgoyne has been prosecuted in the past on several occasions for stealing metal and selling it off as scrap. Burgoyne was described by Harrison as a "scrapper," a person who makes a living selling metals they have acquired, often illegally, for a profit. "But this time, he (Burgoyne) stole from Daniel Boone," added Harrison. Harrison said Burgoyne netted approximately $90 from the sales of the bronze scrap metal. The Boone Monument was vandalized on June 24 and the plaque removed from a large granite marker at the private cemetery. The plaque, which was bolted onto the marker, was pried off according to authorities. The plaque was originally placed at the site in 1915 by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). It marked the burial place of Daniel Boone and his wife. Harrison stressed both the historical and sentimental value of the original plaque. "It's amazing to me how many people have traveled great distances to see this monument," he observed. "It had withstood the test of time until it was removed from its place of origin." Officials estimated it would cost at least $10,000 to reproduce and replace the plaque, in its original size, at the monument. Harrison said he hoped to be able to return the two remaining pieces of the plaque to the DAR, where they might be able to be melted and incorporated into a new plaque. "That way, when it is replaced, it could have at least some historical signifigance to the original," Harrison said. In addition to Shoenfeld, Harrison praised the efforts of Wright City Police Department Lt. John Malcolm who helped on the plaque recovery case. "He had a rapport with some of the people during the interview process," said Harrison. "We truly appreciate his assistance."