The Dangers of Travelling in Your Buddy's Pants

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

Counter Attack at Police Station An intoxicated woman was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct May 30 after police said she became combative and climbed onto the front lobby counter at the Richmond Heights Police Department. It began earlier in the day when police responded to a report that someone was blowing a car horn repeatedly in the 1600 block of Bellevue Avenue, according to police. Upon investigation, they found the 25-year-old woman sitting in her car and talking to her boyfriend by phone. The car was turned off. Police brought her to the station to await her boyfriend. After her arrest, her boyfriend arrived and she was released to him. Be Careful if You Wear Your Friend's Pants A St. Louis County Police Department South …

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Criminal Minds

Homeowner's Dog May Have Thwarted Burglary

A round-up of odd, unusual and off-beat crime stories around the St. Louis area.

Dog May Have Foiled Home Burglary A homeowner's dog may have scared away a potential burglar who broke into a home Apr. 17 on My Road, High Ridge. The deputy who responded to the burglary call reported that he found the front screen door torn but still secure and the rear door frame was broken near the doorknob. There were pry marks on the door frame and a dead bolt lock had not been secured. Nothing was missing from the home which led to speculation that the homeowner's dog scared the burglar away. The Way Some Play Golf, These are the Same Things A weed eater and golf clubs were reported stolen Apr. 5 on East Lane in South County. Woman Calls Back her Burglary Victim and Offers to Sell Property Back to Him A man who told a sheriff's …

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Criminal Minds

Magic is Gone From Relationship When Fiance Disappears

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

Disappearing Act  A woman who lives in an apartment on High Ridge Boulevard handed her boyfriend her engagement ring Jan. 11 when he told her he wanted to show her a magic trick. Instead, he ran out the front door and disappeared. The ring is valued at $5,000. Remember to Turn Off Those Cell Phones Arnold police charged a Barnhart man, 19, with disturbing the peace at the Arnold 14 Cine, 1912 Richardson Road. Police booked the man and later released him on a court summons. Late Night Snack A U-Gas gas station employee, at 3611 West Outer Road, reviewed security video and saw two men steal two bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey and one sandwich. Were All the Thrones Occupied? Police arrested a woman from Affton for property damage after she …

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Criminal Minds

Best of Criminal Minds 2011

A look back at some of the the most confounding and oddest items on the police beat in 2011.

Altoids Are Probably a Better Idea A woman was arrested Sept. 1 for stealing under $500 at the Shop N Save store in the first block of Gravois Bluffs Plaza, Fenton. Police said the suspect hid two bottles of vanilla extract in her purse and paid for the rest of her groceries, but failed to pay for the vanilla. Police said that when the woman was asked why she stole the vanilla she responded "I’m an alcoholic and drink the vanilla extract so my husband won’t find out I’m drinking again." Priorities A man was issued a summons Sept. 16 for urinating in the parking lot of the Steak 'n Shakein the 600 block of Gravois Bluffs Boulevard in Fenton. Police said the intoxicated man was asked why he was doing so and responded “My friends are still …

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Criminal Minds

Still-Wrapped Vehicle Stolen, Ex-Boyfriend Suspected in Oil Rampage

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

Shrink-Wrapped Mazda, Left Running, is Stolen A 2011 Mazda CX-7 was stolen between Dec. 1 from the lot of Bommarito Mazda. Police said keys were left in the vehicle, which was left running in order to do work on the vehicle related to its battery. When the worker returned to the vehicle, it was gone. The car, valued at $21,990 was still in the shrink wrap that Mazdas ship in from the assembly line. Police said the CX-7 likely still was in white plastic shrink wrap Mazdas ship in from the assembly line. Edmunds.com values the car at $21,990. Small Burglar Suspected An apparently undersized burglar squeezed into a home on Laurel Court in Florissant Nov. 30 through a doggie door and stole a Playstation game system, a laptop computer and …

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Criminal Minds

Mr. Grinch Sets Up House

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

Grinchy Thief Cleans Out Shed A fully decorated Christmas tree was among a variety of items stolen from a storage shed Nov. 17 on Tesson Hills Drive in Fenton. Also missing were a pool table, a sectional sofa, three air purifiers, a green bicycle and a set of red pots-and-pans and a table and chairs set. Making It Easy A woman told police she parked her car in front of a Walgreens store Nov. 13 in University City and then entered the store. When she returned, the vehicle was missing. She told police she may have left the keys in the vehicle's ignition when she went in the store. Making It Easy Part II During an investigation of a damaged street sign on Laclede Station Road in Shrewsbury, police found a clue at the accident scene that the …

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Criminal Minds

Roast Beef Arrested, Restroom Resident Evicted

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

The Washer and Dryer Escaped Notice Police responded to a report of a burglary in the 10300 block of Old Olive Street Rd. The victim reported that his refrigerator and stove were missing. That's Why Banks Put Chains on Them The door handle of a vehicle was damaged Nov. 2 when someone broke into it and then ransacked it Nov. 2 at Shop 'n' Save, 45 Gravois Bluffs Plaza, Fenton.  The only item missing was an ink pen. This Beef Was With the Police A woman failed to check out Nov. 4 from a room at Motel 6, 1860 Bowles Ave. Police were called and discovered her lying in the bed passed out from alcohol.  The suspect was very uncooperative with the hotel staff and police. When asked her name by police, she responded "roast beef." She was arrested…

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The Ghosts of Turkeys Past: Thanksgiving Day Disasters

Patch editors share their embarrassing holiday fails and invite you to add yours.

The Turkey That Wouldn't Go Away I was a newlywed, cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner for extended family. My mother, my sister and myself were crowded into a tiny kitchen at our University City apartment, bumping into each other and generally getting into each other's way. Bags and boxes and pans were stacked in any available inch of space. My husband's grandmother had given us a large covered roaster pan, and for seven months, it had been taking up space in the cabinet. Now, I finally got to use it. Not well, however, as I remember the turkey was rather dry. But we could always count on my mother's dressing being perfect and the sweet potatoes having just the right amount of marshmallow topping. We gave the kitchen "a lick and a …

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Criminal Minds

Breakfast Drunks Brawl, Grease Targeted by Thieves

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

Lighting up anything indoors is bound to attract attention At 11:45 p.m., police were summoned by employees of a business in the 100 block of East Jefferson Avenue Oct. 27 about a customer attempting to smoke marijuana inside the business. Officers arrived and located an adult male patron outside of the establishment in possession of marijuana and related drug paraphernalia. He was arrested. Early morning dispute erupts between drunken roommates At 7 a.m., Shrewsbury police were called to the 7500 block of Suffolk Avenue regarding an argument between two intoxicated college roommates over a credit card bill. The argument became physical, so both men were arrested for third-degree assault and issued citations to appear in municipal court. …

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Weird And Wacky Costumes For Halloween 2011

Halloween is here and "Patch" has rounded up some of the kookiest costumes available in your local Patch.

Here's a look at some of the strangest costumes you may see out and about this Halloween. Lady Gaga Description: Lady Gaga is the controversial pop star who inspires comments every time she changes her outfits. Where/Pricing: Lady Gaga accessories including gloves, masks and wigs range in price from $5.99 to $19.99 at Party City. The complete outfits at Party City range in price from $44.99 to $59.99. Accessories like gloves, wigs and masks range in price from $8.99 to $22.49 at Halloween Express. The complete outfits range in price from $54.99 to $59.97, also at Halloween Express. Angry Birds Description: Don't confuse Angry Birds with Hitchcock's The Birds. Angry Birds is a video game released by Apple in 2009. Since then it has become …

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