Crime & Safety

Weird Crime: Thief Steals Van That Needs Tires, Gas

A roundup of recent unusual and odd crimes in the St. Louis area.

Stolen Van Needed Gas, Tires

A Ferguson man is facing criminal charges for stealing a van that not only needed gas, but apparently tires as well. He also was charged with stealing eight tires from Dobbs Tire and Auto.

Florissant police said the man stole a 1994 GMC conversion van from a Johnny Londoff Chevrolet lot sometime between July 29 and Aug. 1. The van belonged to an employee at the car dealership.

Find out what's happening in Arnoldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police said man also broke into Dobbs Tire and Auto, and stole eight tires valued at $1,593. He was identified through surveillance tapes at Dobbs and at a QuikTrip gas station where he bought gas for the van, according to court documents.

Man Leaves Behind Hatful of DNA at Burglary Scene

Find out what's happening in Arnoldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A hat left at a burglary scene in 2011 led St. Louis County Police to a suspect in a home break-in. The hat contained DNA evidence that led police to a suspect in the burglary.

Police said the homeowner arrived at home to find two broken windows; discovered a television, game system and lawn care items missing from the home; and a hat that did not belong to anyone living in the home.

Another Leave-Behind

Someone left behind a pink and red hair barrette from the bedroom of a burglarized home Aug. 22 on S. Golden Circle Drive, High Ridge. Entry to the home was made by forcing open a bathroom window. Missing were jewelry items valued at $3,618. The homeowner said she left the house at noon and returned at 6 p.m. when she saw the pink and red hair barrette on the bedroom floor and realized someone had been in her home.

Ex-Boyfriend Escapes Confinement After Texting His Sister

A woman was arrested Aug. 26 for keeping her ex-boyfriend from leaving her Webster Groves apartment. The ex-boyfriend was able to text his sister, who notified police.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Arnold