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Crime & Safety

A Ski Mask in a Heat Wave Was a Tad Suspicious

A roundup of odd, unusual and head-scratching crime reports in and around the area.

What the Well-Dressed Bad Guy Wears

A woman in Arnold reported that a man dressed like a ninja entered her  home, went into the bedroom, stole a computer, iPhone, iPad and $1,000 in cash. He then fled.

St. Peters police officers were asked to keep an eye on car washes on patrol routes after a string of burglaries at the businesses when a man showed up at a car wash July 18 wearing a ski mask and carrying a crowbar. Wearing a ski mask in the middle of a heat wave didn't add up. A police officer on a stakeout across the street from the car wash thought so, too. He called in other police officers and all converged on the man as he was prying open the door to the car wash office. He was arrested.

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Some Crime Involves Heavy Lifting

A Jeffco Contracting, Arnold, employee reported 40 concrete blocks valued at $131.20 missing from a truck bed June 24.

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Two 3-ton air conditioning units were stolen from a business on Northwest Boulevard in Fenton sometime between June 15 and July 9.

Shopping Cart Joyriding

Two Arnold teenagers were detained by police and turned over to their parents after they were accused of riding a motorized shopping cart from the Walmart parking lot.

Real Petty Theft

Manchester police were called to the Manchester Highlands Walmart after store staff spotted a someone stealing merchandise. The person was arrested for the reported theft in which the merchandise was valued at $1.96.

Police were called to Manchester Highlands Walmart again after after store loss prevention officers apprehended an alleged underwear thief. A woman was arrested after she reportedly tried to steal three pairs of women’s underwear with a total value of $15.84.

Wine Thief Forgets Stolen Cash

O’Fallon Police said a burglar stole two bottles of wine, but left a cash drawer  sitting outside a restaurant July 14. Police said a man used a landscaping brick to smash a window at the Rendezvous Cafe and Wine Bar and stole the cash drawer. He then reportedly re-entered the restaurant and grabbed two bottles of wine. He was arrested later at his home, which was in walking distance of the restaurant. The cash drawer was found intact just outside the restaurant.

Hoist By His Own Petard

A man who planted a video recording device in the women's restroom at a grocery store in Cedar Hill, was identified by store employees based on pictures of himself left on the device.

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