A man, who allegedly stole cigarettes from the Eureka Walgreens, has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor after allegedly attempting to break into a home and stealing a delivery package in Webster Groves. He was arrested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Villa Ridge, court documents show.
James Robert Wors, 36, of Villa Ridge has been charged with first-degree attempted burglary, class C felony punishable by three to 10 years in prison; stealing a delivery item, a class E felony that carries a penalty of up to four years in prison; and second-degree property damage, a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, according to court records.
As of Tuesday, he was being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond at the St. Louis County Jail, court documents said.
Wors was arrested on June 17 after fleeing from the Walgreens pharmacy, 250 E. Fourth St., in Eureka. At about 12:45 p.m. that day, Wors went behind the counter and allegedly stole five packs of cigarettes, Eureka Police reported.
He then jumped over the counter and ran out of the store. He got into a red 2009 Toyota Sienna and drove away, the report said.
Eureka Police had received reports of the Sienna driving erratically in the area, and an officer saw the van at the QuikTrip gas station, 290 E. Fourth St., near Walgreens. The officer saw Wors drive away on Hwy. 109, but he was unable to pursue the van, according to the report.
Eureka Police learned the van typically is seen on Flock license-plate reading cameras in Villa Ridge. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was notified about the van, and a deputy stopped Wors and arrested him, the report said.
Wors was transported to the Eureka Police Station, and when an officer searched him, the officer allegedly found a bag containing what is believed to be an illegal substance, according to the report.
Earlier on June 17, Wors allegedly attempted to break into a home in the 200 block of Spring Avenue in Webster Groves. A man who lives at the house said Wors used a crowbar to open a side door on the home, according to the case’s probable-cause statement.
The man who lives at the home said he confronted Wors, who then ran away with a Starlink Mini-Kit that had been delivered at the home. Wors drove away from the home in the Sienna, the report said.
When Wors was stopped by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy allegedly found the Starlink Mini-Kit and crowbar in the van. The cigarettes were not recovered, according to the report.
Depending on results of the drug analysis, Eureka Police will seek charges against the Wors through the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for possession of a controlled substance, Chief Michael Werges said. He also said Wors was issued a summons to appear in Eureka Municipal Court for stealing.