Man accused of stealing football merch from stadium while wearing gorilla mask, selling them on Facebook Marketplace

COLUMBIA, Missouri (KMIZ) -- An 18-year-old man from Columbia has been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly stealing memorabilia from the University of Missouri's football stadium while wearing a gorilla mask. Jace McKernan faces charges of first-degree and second-degree burglary and is currently being held at the Boone County Jail without bond, with no court date scheduled as of yet.

According to the probable cause statement, McKernan reportedly entered the Mizzou Football South End Zone Facility approximately ten times between March 2 and March 25, often accompanied by unidentified individuals. During these break-ins, he is accused of stealing various items, including boxes of Mizzou football gear, clothing, alcohol, and paintings.

On March 24, police discovered several items believed to be stolen, still in their original packaging, listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. These items, which included Jordan football gloves, Mizzou hats, and Nike Air Max shoes, were posted under the name "Jason Cortez." The listed items raised suspicions due to their association with the university's athletic program.

Further investigation revealed that the stolen gear was not available for public sale, with the Jordan gloves specifically designated for certain Mizzou football players. Additionally, some of the Nike shoes had been provided to the athletic training staff just days prior to the thefts. Other items, including a hoodie displayed on the fake account, were confirmed to belong to Mizzou football.

When police approached McKernan at his residence, he allegedly confessed to the thefts, admitting to using face paint to conceal his identity during the crimes. Some stolen items were reportedly still present at his home, and evidence linked him to the Facebook profile, as well as a BMW associated with his family that was observed in surveillance footage related to the case.