The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged a man for allegedly attacking a 31-year-old Arnold woman and 28-year-old Fenton man at an Arnold apartment, according to court documents.
Andrew Thomas Rupe, 37, of St. Louis has been charged with two counts of third-degree domestic assault, which are class E felonies that each carry penalties of up to four years in prison, and fourth-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor that is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, court records show.
However, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has requested the domestic assault charges to be considered class D felonies, which carry a penalty of up to seven years in prison, due to Rupe being a persistent offender, according to court documents.
Court records show Rupe was found guilty in Jefferson County of stealing a motor vehicle in September 2024, and in St. Louis County, he was found guilty of third-degree domestic assault in February 2024.
As of Monday, May 5, Rupe was being held being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, court records said.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Tiffany Baker is prosecuting the case.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Rupe went to his former girlfriend’s apartment on Crosswinds Drive on March 15 because he was upset that he lost his cell phone. He allegedly choked the woman, threw her down, kicked her and mocked her.
The woman escaped from the apartment and drove away. However, Rupe allegedly took the woman’s iPhone, Apple watch and laptop, which are worth approximately $1,647 combined, so she was unable to call for help, the report said.
After the alleged attack, Rupe told the Fenton man to leave the apartment. When the man refused, Rupe allegedly punched the other man in the eye and back of his head, according to the report.
After the alleged attack, Rupe left the apartment the report said.