A 30-year-old St. Louis man was arrested at Harbor Freight in Arnold for alleged possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. The man also had been riding a motorcycle that had its vehicle identification number (VIN) ground off, Arnold Police reported.
Three detectives spotted a Kawasaki Ninja without license plates at about 3:45 p.m. Oct. 19 outside the hardware store, 1400 Jeffco Blvd., and upon looking closer at the motorcycle, they noticed the VIN had been scratched off, the report said.
Two of the detectives went inside the business and found the man who reportedly had ridden the bike to the store. The man was carrying a backpack and handed it to one of the officers so it could be searched, but then the suspect allegedly ran for the store’s exit, according to the report.
However, he didn’t get far because he reportedly ran into a display case near the exit and fell. After an alleged physical altercation, the detectives arrested the man, the report said.
The detectives allegedly found about half a pound of meth, a scale and empty bags in the backpack. The suspect already was wanted for a parole and probation violation, Arnold Police reported.
The man was taken to the Police Station, where he was booked and then transported to the Jefferson County Jail to be held for another law enforcement agency. Depending on results of the drug analysis, Arnold Police will seek charges against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, having a motorcycle with an altered VIN and felony resisting arrest, Detective Lt. Jason Valentine said.
If Arnold Police uncover the motorcycle’s VIN and discover the Ninja had been stolen, they could seek a tampering charge against the man, too, Valentine said.