Two Jefferson County men reportedly were caught stealing catalytic converters from recreation vehicles at St. Louis RV Storage, 1500 S. Outer Road, in Eureka. When police arrived, one of the men allegedly was under an RV attempting to saw off its catalytic converter, Eureka Police reported.
Eureka Police were called just before 4 a.m. Dec. 31 to the business when the owner allegedly saw two men on the property in a live feed from surveillance cameras. When the officers arrived, they saw a gate open, and the owner said it previously had been locked, the report said.
The officers heard a grinding sound coming from under an overhang near the center of the parking lot. Then they allegedly saw a 37-year-old man with home addresses listed in De Soto and Festus standing next to the RV and a 38-year-old Pevely man partially under an RV with sparks coming out from under the vehicle, according to the report.
When the men realized the police were there, both allegedly tried to run away. However, officers quickly caught them and arrested the pair, Eureka Police reported.
Officers allegedly found two catalytic converters cut off two other RVs in the lot. No estimate for the damage to the RVs was reported.
Officers also allegedly found five catalytic converters in a toolbox inside a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado the men apparently had driven to the business. Officers believe those converters had been stolen elsewhere, the report said.
In addition, a pad lock was found cut off the front gate, according to the report.
The men were taken to the Eureka Police Station, where officers allegedly found the 37-year-old with a bag containing a white crystal-like substance. The 37-year-old was booked and released pending application for warrants, according to the report.
The 38-year-old was wanted on a felony warrant from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and he was transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro.
Lt. Michael Werges said Eureka Police will seek charges against the men through the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Depending on results of the drug analysis, Eureka Police will seek charges against the 37-year-old for stealing catalytic converters, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, second-degree tampering, receiving stolen property, first-degree trespassing first and second-degree property damage, Werges said.
He said police will seek charges against the 38-year-old for stealing catalytic converters, resisting arrest, second-degree tampering, receiving stolen property, first-degree trespassing and first and second-degree property damage.
Werges said Eureka Police also believe the men previously had stolen at least four catalytic converters from RVs stored at St. Louis RV Storage. Officers were called about that case around 10:30 a.m. Dec. 29 after the thefts were discovered.
Surveillance video allegedly showed two men cutting a lock off a front gate after arriving in a pickup that appeared to be the Silverado officers searched Dec. 31. The pickup allegedly was seen in surveillance video arriving at the business at about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 28 and leaving at about 10:30 p.m., the report said.
The next morning the four stolen catalytic converters were discovered missing. The damage from that theft was estimated at $2,000 total, Eureka Police reported.