A 35-year-old St. Louis man was arrested for reportedly trying to get inside vehicles at a Eureka commuter parking lot. The man allegedly admitted to stealing from one vehicle, Eureka Police reported.
A witness called Eureka Police at about 6 p.m. Aug. 20 and reported seeing the suspect trying to open doors on numerous vehicles at the commuter parking lot, 201 E. Fourth St. The witness described the man’s clothes to the officer, who then spotted the suspect walking west on Fifth Street near Central Avenue, the report said.
The officer stopped the suspect and asked him if had been trying to get into vehicles at the commuter lot and if he had stolen anything. The man allegedly told the officer he took some money from an unlocked car after trying to get into a few vehicles, according to the report.
The officer arrested the man and took him back to the commuter lot, where he pointed out a 2010 Mazda 6 that he said he stole money from. Then, the suspect gave the officer the $26 he allegedly stole from the car, the report said.
The officer put the money back in the car, locked it and called the 57-year-old Eureka man who owns the car to tell him about the alleged theft and the return of the money. The victim told the officer he wanted to pursue charges against the suspect, Eureka Police reported.
The officer took the suspect to the Police Station, where he was booked and released on summonses to appear in Eureka Municipal Court for alleged stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle, Lt. Michael Tapp said.
In November 2021, the Eureka Board of Aldermen agreed to pass legislation that made it illegal to lift door handles on vehicles that do not belong to you. Those found lifting handles may be charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.