Capt. Larry Miller said that at 3:22 a.m. Dec. 14, an officer patrolling the Hunter’s Glen subdivision saw items lying in the middle of the road in the 8100 block of Pheasant Drive. The officer stopped to investigate and found a backpack with a laptop computer and other miscellaneous items. The owner, a 23-year-old Pevely man, was located through identification found in the backpack and the items were returned to him.
Miller said the officer continued his investigation and found approximately 30 vehicles with open doors.
Another victim, also a 23-year-old Pevely man, reported that a handgun had been stolen from his 2017 Chevrolet Silverado parked in the 8400 block of Tara Trail. The vehicle is believed to have been unlocked, Miller said.
He said surveillance video from homes in the area showed a white Buick Encore in the neighborhood around 2:20 a.m.
A passenger believed to be a young Black male wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask was seen exiting the Encore and running to a truck parked in a driveway. Other surveillance video showed a silver Ford Explorer believed to have been stolen from Festus pass through the neighborhood, Miller said.
Also that day, a silver 2015 Kia Optima was reported stolen in the 8100 block of Pheasant Drive. The Optima was recovered Dec. 20 by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Miller said.
He said a 31-year-old Pevely woman reported that day that a purse and wallet containing credit cards were stolen from her 2017 Buick Enclave parked in the 1700 block of Twelve Oaks. The credit cards were recovered at a QuikTrip convenience store on Meramec Bottom Road in south St. Louis County.
Miller also said surveillance footage from various homes indicated two to three vehicles and up to five people were involved in the crime spree. All appeared to be Black males wearing hoodies and masks, he said.
As of Jan. 11, no arrests had been made, Miller said. Anyone with information is urged to call the Pevely Police at 636-475-4498.