The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged two people with multiple felonies after they allegedly stole from an Arnold department store and led Arnold Police on a short chase, according to court documents.
Rodney Damion Horace Cole, 33, of Florissant has been charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, a class D felony; stealing more than $750, a class D felony; and fourth-degree assault of a special victim, a class A misdemeanor, court records show.
Jaranecia Janae Lynn Edwards, 30, of East St. Louis, Ill., has been charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, a class D felony; stealing more than $750, a class D felony; first-degree property damage of a law enforcement vehicle, a class D felony; and fourth-degree assault of a special victim, a class A misdemeanor, court documents said.
Class D felonies carry penalties of up to seven years in prison, and class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Both were charged on Dec. 8, and as of Dec. 10, they were being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, according to court records.
Arnold Police were called at about 1:45 p.m. Dec. 8 to the Kohl’s department store, 2150 Michigan Ave., for a stealing in progress. Cole allegedly filled two trash bags with merchandise and left the store without paying, according to the probable-cause statement in the case.
Edwards was waiting in a Nissan Altima, which parked on the side of the store in a no-parking zone. When officers arrived, they parked their patrol car in front of the Altima and approached Edwards, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, the report said.
Edwards allegedly started backing up the car, ignoring the officers’ demands that she get out of the Nissan. Cole then ran around the side of the building while holding two black bags and ignored the officers when he was told to stop, according to the report.
One of the officers attempted to stop Cole from getting into the passenger’s seat of the Nissan, but Cole allegedly pushed the car’s door into the officer’s chest, knocking him back. The other officer was attempting to open the driver’s side door, but Edwards drove forward, yanking the door handle from the officer’s hand, the report said.
Edwards hit the back passenger’s side of the officers’ 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. She then fled onto eastbound Michigan Avenue toward Jeffco Boulevard, according to the report.
Other Arnold Police officers saw the Nissan traveling north on Jeffco Boulevard and turning onto Hwy. 141. More officers put down spike strips on the highway, and the Nissan was disabled before Edwards was able to turn onto northbound I-55, the report said.
Cole and Edwards were arrested, and an officer allegedly recovered the stolen items in the car. The estimated value of the stolen items was $2,349, according to the report.
No injuries were reported.
Arnold Police Detective Lt. Jeremy Christopher said the estimated cost to repair the damaged Tahoe is $4,000. He said as of Dec. 10, the department did not know when the SUV would be repaired.