Edward Wade Starns Jr., 42, of Arnold allegedly stole a car outside an Arnold business. When the car was recovered that same day, officers found the suspect’s St. Louis Cardinals hat in the car, according to court documents.
Starns has been charged with stealing a motor vehicle, a class B felony. However, due to being persistent offender, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed the charge as a class A felony, which is punishable by 10 to 30 years of life in prison, court records said.
He was arrested on Nov. 2, and as of Nov. 5, he was being held without bond, court documents show.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Starns on June 27 stole a 2013 Ford Focus that was parked outside of the Ultimate Vapor store, 1448 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold. The car was recovered the same day, and Starns allegedly admitted the hat was his and that he stole the car.
He said he had been making bad decisions recently, according to the report.
Starns has been found guilty of at least two or more felonies. He was found guilty of forgery in May 2017 in St. Louis County and felony stealing in January 2024 in St. Louis County, court documents show.