Clayton Weekly Police Incident Report: April 19-25

From the City of Clayton:

April 26, 2021

For the reporting period of Monday, April 19th – Sunday, April 25th, CPD officers responded to 436 calls for service, including 11 automobile accidents, 20 calls to assist the CFD & multiple fireworks violations. Among those calls were the following incidents:

After discovering jewelry & cash missing from their home, residents contacted the CPD Monday evening. Aside from the residents, the only other individuals with access to the items were employees of a cleaning service the family regularly uses. The home had been cleaned earlier in the day & the residents suspect a new employee of the service is responsible for the theft.

Later Monday night, officers responded to the first of several reports of juveniles shooting off fireworks this week. Multiple residents of the Moorlands Neighborhood reported hearing fireworks just before 9pm. Responding officers witnessed a group of juveniles running from the area of Glenridge Elementary School. The individuals were contacted, identified & released to their parents. Tuesday night, an officer observed fireworks being discharged in the parking lot adjacent to Wydown Park. As he approached, he witnessed 5 subjects attempting to flee. As they ran, one of the subjects tossed a backpack containing several fireworks into the air. The youths were detained & identified before they were released from the scene into the custody of their parents. Finally, late Saturday night, a resident witnessed a group of juveniles launching fireworks at the intersection of Glenridge & Wellington. He recognized one of the individuals & officers contacted the juvenile & his parent. This is an ongoing concern & any further reports will be forwarded to the St. Louis County Family Court.

While on patrol in the 6400 block of Alamo early Tuesday morning, a CPD officer observed someone riding a bicycle through the east/west alleyway between Alamo & Clayton Rd. The officer contacted the man who claimed he was "dumpster diving." Investigation revealed the man was wanted on a felony warrant through St. Louis County PD for possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested & transported to the St. Louis County Justice Center to await further action by St. Louis County PD.

Officers responded to Big Bend Blvd. near Shepley early Friday morning for a report of a single-vehicle crash. The driver stated he had been distracted by his phone, resulting in his vehicle veering from the roadway & striking the curb & a utility pole. The driver sustained a minor injury & the vehicle was badly damaged. As a result of an on-scene investigation, he was arrested for DWI & being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Later Friday morning, a resident contacted the CPD to report he was a victim of identity theft. His employer's HR department notified him someone had attempted to use his name & social security number to apply for unemployment benefits. The claim was denied & the man is unaware of any other fraudulent use of his personal information. This is an important reminder to regularly check your credit report & financial statements for fraudulent activity. You can learn more about recognizing the signs your identity has been stolen & what to do here: Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information.

A woman reported her Apple Watch had been stolen following a trip to the St. Louis County government building Friday morning. While at the checkpoint, she removed her watch & placed it & other personal items in a plastic tray. After passing through the metal detector, she gathered her belongings & proceeded to conduct her business in the building. She later realized she was not wearing the watch & returned to the checkpoint, where she learned it had not been turned over to security. An investigation is ongoing.

Friday afternoon, the City of Clayton Parks Superintendent reported the acorn statue at Wydown Park & a bench in Oak Knoll Park had been vandalized by graffiti. While on foot in the Clayshire tunnel Saturday night, officers discovered fresh graffiti spray-painted on the tunnel walls. All damage was documented & the investigation is ongoing.

A traffic stop Saturday afternoon in the area of Forest Park Parkway & I-170 afternoon resulted in the driver's arrest. The on-scene investigation revealed she was wanted by Town & Country PD for felony stealing.

A man reported his vehicle lost traction as he headed eastbound on Carondelet Plaza Saturday night. He attempted to correct his course but was unable, resulting in his vehicle striking the curb, an exterior wall at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & a large planter. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Officers arrested a man for trespassing at a local hotel Sunday morning after a guest found him on the 7th floor. The man has been repeatedly issued trespass warnings involving this location as well as other area businesses. The report has been forwarded to the Saint Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for further review.

IHOP employees contacted the CPD for help in locating a man & woman who failed to pay for their meals Sunday afternoon. Using the contact info they provided upon arrival & surveillance footage from the restaurant, officers were able to identify the female customer. Although they could not reach the woman directly, officers did speak with her mother, who paid for the meals.

Lastly, CVS employees reported a man stole personal hygiene products & alcohol from the store Friday evening. He was found nearby with the stolen items in his possession. The merchandise was returned to the store & the man was arrested for stealing with a court date through the Clayton Municipal Court.

Until next week, stay safe!

This press release was produced by the City of Clayton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.