Arnold Police arrested two O’Fallon, Ill., men, one 34 and the other 27, after they allegedly tried to run away from a Home Depot employee who attempted to stop them from stealing merchandise from the store. The men were pushing a cart filled with items worth $2,232.58 out of the store at 3865 Vogel Road, Arnold Police reported.
Officers were called to the store at about 10:30 a.m. April 11. When police arrived, the two men were seen running from the parking lot, the report said.
The 34-year-old man was arrested at the nearby Walgreens, 3937 Vogel Road. He allegedly was found with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a fanny pack he was wearing, according to the report.
The 27-year-old man was found near the Valvoline Instant Oil Change, 3896 Vogel Road. When officers tried to arrest him, the man allegedly repeatedly tried to pull away from them before he was handcuffed, the report said.
Once the 27-year-old was handcuffed and forced to the ground, he reportedly slammed his face onto the ground more than once. He was taken to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County to be treated for injuries to his head and face, according to the report.
The older man was taken to the Police Station, where he was booked and released pending application for warrants. Depending on results of the drug analysis, Arnold Police will seek charges against the older man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for felony stealing, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Detective Lt. Jeremy Christopher said.
He said Arnold Police will seek charges for felony stealing and resisting arrest against the younger man.