A 67-year-old Crystal City man was arrested for allegedly stealing from Walmart, 2201 Michigan Ave., in Arnold. He was arrested after he tried to run away from officers but was found behind a dumpster at the nearby AT&T Store, 2245 Michigan Ave., Arnold Police reported.
At about 5:15 p.m. July 3, the man allegedly hid a vacuum cleaner under a large pillow in a shopping cart. He left the store without paying for the vacuum, which was worth $240.97, the report said.
The man was stopped in the parking lot, and he abandoned the cart and ran away. When officers found the man behind the dumpster, he had removed his shirt. He was arrested without further incident, according to the report.
The man also was wanted by the Festus and St. Louis County police departments on misdemeanor warrants. He was taken to the Arnold Police Station, where he was booked and held for the other police departments that wanted him, according to the report.
Arnold Police will seek a charge against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for stealing, Detective Lt. Jeremey Christopher said.