A 38-year-old Ballwin man was arrested after he was found wearing a pair of boots reported stolen from Dickey Bub Farm and Home, 100 Hilltop Village Center Drive, in Eureka. He was arrested about five hours after he had reported his 2014 Chevrolet Silverado had been stolen from the commuter lot at Hwy. 66 and Six Flags Road, Eureka Police reported.
The man called police at about 11:35 a.m. May 18, asking officers to come to the China King restaurant, 185 Eureka Towne Center Drive, where he called from. An officer arrived and the reported that his pickup had been stolen from the commuter lot between about 4 p.m. May 16 and 6 p.m. May 17, the report said.
The man told officers he believed the pickup was not working and that he had the keys. He also said he didn’t know if the doors were locked on the Silverado, which was valued at about $20,000, according to the report.
At about 4:40 p.m. the same day, an officer was called to Dickey Bub after a pair of tan Carolina hiking boots were stolen from the store. The boots were valued at $84, the report said.
The officer reviewed the surveillance video and reportedly saw the man who had reported the stolen pickup put the boots on then place the shoes he was wearing inside the Carolina box and put the box on the shelf. When the officer was on his way to Dickey Bub, he had seen the Ballwin man walking near Riley Baker Way, and he returned to the area and found the man outside the Arby’s restaurant, 60 Hilltop Village Center Drive, the report said.
The man reportedly was wearing the boots and was arrested. He allegedly told the officer he was sorry for stealing the boots, adding that his other shoes were worn out and he was down on his luck, according to the report.
The man was taken to the Police Station, where he was booked and released with a summons to appear in Eureka Municipal Court for stealing, Lt. Michael Werges said.