Richard Wayne Christian, 28, of St. Louis County has been charged with allegedly breaking into and stealing from three local businesses – Bellacino’s Pizza and Grinders in Arnold and John’s Butcher Shoppee and Hibachi Grill, both in Festus, authorities report.
On March 16, Christian allegedly used a brick to break glass out of a window at Bellacino’s, 3484 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold, and once inside the business, he stole a bill changer valued at $1,200, the probable-cause statement said.
When Arnold Police arrested Christian on March 18 for the burglary, he allegedly was found with methamphetamine, the report said.
During interviews with police, he allegedly confessed to several burglaries and thefts in the area including the two in Festus, as well as others in Jefferson, St. Louis and Washington counties, according to the report.
On March 8, Christian allegedly threw a metal pry bar through glass on the front door to John’s Butcher Shoppee, 503 N. Mill St., in Festus, so he could get inside, and he climbed through the broken door at least three times to steal items, the probable-cause statement said.
At John’s Butcher Shoppee, he stole a bubble gum vending machine, a candy vending machine and a display case that contained 25 knives. Together, the two vending machines were valued at $459, not including the gum, candy and coins inside them, for which there is no estimate. The display case and knives were valued at $804, the report said.
Police recovered the pry bar used to break the door at the scene, according to the report.
On Feb 22, Christian allegedly used a golf club to break out glass on the front door at the Hibachi Grill, 331 North Creek Road, in Festus, which no longer was in business, the probable-cause statement said.
He crawled through the broken door at the former Hibachi Grill at least twice, stealing items from inside, including a Super Bounce-A-Roo vending machine filled with toys and three other vending machines filled with candy, toys and money. Altogether, the stolen machines were valued at $895, not counting the toys, candy and money inside them, for which there is no estimate. The damage to the door was estimated at $500, the report said.
Details Christian gave police officers about the burglaries allegedly matched what they saw on surveillance footage from the crime scenes.
In addition, after Arnold and Festus police officers interviewed Christian, he was taken to his St. Louis County apartment, where numerous items stolen from the businesses allegedly were located, according to the report.
On March 29, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Christian with three counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of stealing and one count of possession of a controlled substance, all class C felonies. Each charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Christian is being held today (March 30) in the Jefferson County Jail on a $50,000 bond.