The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking charges against a 36-year-old Dittmer woman who allegedly stole an SUV from outside a home in the 3400 block of Henry Drive in Imperial and ditched it five days later at the Circle K gas station, 2285 S. Old Hwy. 141, in the Jefferson County portion of Fenton. The car has been returned to the owner, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The 2014 Ford Escape was stolen between about 11:30 p.m. June 14 and 8:10 a.m. June 15. The SUV was valued at $12,000, the report said.
The victim told investigators the suspect had been removed from the Imperial home in late April. After the suspect left the home, the victim said a key to the SUV went missing, according to the report.
At about 7:30 a.m. June 20, the suspect allegedly sent a text message to the victim that said the SUV was parked at the No. 7 pump at the Fenton-area gas station. A deputy and the victim went to the gas station and recovered the car, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
As of June 30, the suspect had not been located, spokesman Grant Bissell said. He also said the Sheriff’s Office is seeking charges against the woman through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for first-degree tampering, felony property damage and felony stealing.
Anyone with information about the suspect should call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.