Weird Crimes: Thief Steals Van That Needs Tires, Gas

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.

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 Quik Trip gas station where he bought gas for the van, according to court documents.

Man Leaves Behind Hatful of DNA at Burglary Scene

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. He 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.

Phone Security More Successful Than Store Security

Someone broke a window to successfully get into a Wireless Vision/T-Mobile store Aug. 29 on Lindbergh Boulevard in Mehlville, but they couldn't defeat the security device used to secure a Samsung Galaxy SII phone that was the object of the attempted theft.

Pulling Up Plants and Spreading Syrup

Someone damaged a home  on Chesterfield Manor Drive, in Chesterfield by uprooting several plants and pouring maple syrup on the front porch and a vehicle parked in the driveway

Would-Be Swinger Grabs Kids' Swing Set

A man who was walking to his house Sept. 2 on Creek Drive, Fenton, noticed a man walking across the street carrying the speakers from inside his house. As it turns out, the man also had removed a kids' swing set from the homeowner's yard and placed it in his vehicle. Both the speakers and the swing set were recovered by sheriff's deputies and returned to the homeowner. The suspect was located across the street and arrested.

After Ejection From Swinger's Party, He Comes Back to Argue About it

A man who was kicked out of a swinger's party Aug. 26 at Fenton, returned to retrieve some of his items and began an argument. He became irate during the exchange and struck the victim with a bottle he threw. He was issued a summons.

What Some Women Stuff in Their Purses

Unusual items were the target of female shoplifters recently, including three women who hid the following items in their purses and left the stores without paying for them:

• A woman concealed three video games in her purse Aug. 29 at Walmart, in Fenton.
• A woman hid a tow hitch ball, makeup and a vehicle decal in her purse Aug. 30 at , in Fenton.
• A woman concealed a candle, make-up, pajamas and a top in her purse Aug. 30 at , in Fenton.