Jacob Scholtes, 31, of Arnold is facing a felony burglary charge for reportedly breaking into the South County Center mall, 18 South County Center Way, in south St. Louis County. He allegedly was heavily armed and rode around on a scooter and stole jewelry while he was inside the mall, according to the probable-cause statement in the case.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Scholtes on Jan. 12 with first-degree burglary, a class B felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison, and stealing, a class A misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, court records show.
Scholtes was being held Jan. 15 at the St. Louis County Jail on a $30,000 bond, according to court documents.
St. Louis County Police were called at about 1 a.m. Jan. 12 to the mall after a security guard allegedly saw Scholtes riding an electric scooter in the building. Scholtes was trying to leave the mall when an officer arrived, and the officer had to tackle Scholtes to stop him from riding away on the scooter, the probable-cause statement said.
Scholtes allegedly had a Glock 23 firearm, a knife, pepper spray and a fake security badge. He also was wearing a ballistic vest, the report said.
He had black duct tape on his fingertips and reportedly told the officer he taped his fingers so he didn't leave prints behind. In addition, a backpack Scholtes was wearing had jewelry inside it, and he allegedly told the officer that he got the jewelry, as well as rings he was wearing, from inside the mall, the report said.
Officers found broken glass at the LA Jewelers kiosk, and jewelry was missing, according to the report.
Scholtes allegedly told investigators he entered the mall through an open door and went inside because it was raining and police don’t drive around much in the rain, the probable-cause statement said.