For the reporting period of Monday, March 16th – Sunday, March 22nd, your Clayton Police Department (CPD) officers responded to 444 calls for service. Among those calls were 45 requests to assist other agencies and 12 vehicle crashes, including several reports of drivers leaving the scene. Read on for more:
Officers responded to the northbound lanes of I-170 on Monday afternoon for a vehicle crash. One driver stated he was driving in the center lane when the vehicle in the left lane suddenly entered his lane and struck his vehicle. His van was equipped with a camera, which confirmed his account of the crash. The other driver explained that he swerved to avoid hitting an unidentified object in his lane, but ended up colliding with the van. Neither driver sustained injuries in the crash. However, both vehicles were damaged and had to be towed from the highway.
A woman reported driving southbound on I-170 Tuesday morning when another vehicle swerved into her lane and struck her car. She explained that the other vehicle did not stop to exchange information, so she followed it to obtain the license plate number. She gave officers enough details about the striking vehicle and its driver for them to identify the woman and locate the vehicle on surveillance cameras throughout the area. Officers entered the vehicle's information as wanted for leaving the scene of an accident. On Wednesday, an officer in another jurisdiction stopped the driver and had the vehicle towed.
CPD Officers contacted the driver, who claimed her vehicle had been struck when she was changing lanes. However, she admitted to leaving the scene of the crash and stated she had not attempted to locate the other driver or to inform law enforcement that she had been involved in a crash. She responded to our station on Friday evening, turned herself in for leaving the scene of an accident, and was arrested. The case will be forwarded to the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of charges for Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Property Damage Exceeding $1,000 (a felony) and Failure to Maintain Proof of Financial Responsibility (a misdemeanor).
Officers returned to the interstate and responded to another vehicle crash on Tuesday afternoon. A woman said she was traveling in the northbound lanes when traffic ahead suddenly slowed, so she braked abruptly. As she braked, another vehicle struck hers from behind. Her vehicle sustained significant damage and was later towed from the scene. The other driver confirmed her account and said she hadn’t had time to avoid the collision. Neither driver sustained injuries.
A short time later, a woman reported that another vehicle had left the scene of a crash on I-170. She explained that a black Chevrolet Cruz merged into her lane and struck her vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and continued northbound. She provided Officers with photographs of the striking vehicle, and the investigation continues.
A CPD Officer was on patrol Wednesday morning when he observed a vehicle make an illegal right turn at the intersection of Maryland Ave. and N. Brentwood Blvd. The Officer initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who informed him that his driver’s license was revoked and that he had been on his way to the St. Louis County Court Building to turn himself in. A computer inquiry revealed that the man had an active felony warrant issued by the St. Louis County Police Department for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. The Officer arrested the man without incident and later transported him to the St. Louis County Justice Center to await further action by the St. Louis County Police Department. He was also issued summonses for his traffic violations and has an upcoming court date through the Clayton Municipal Court.
A traffic stop on Clayton Rd. early Thursday morning led to the arrest of the driver after learning he did not have a valid driver’s license. During a search of the vehicle, the officer found several pills and capsules with a white powdery substance believed to be a controlled substance. These items were seized as evidence and sent to the St. Louis County Crime Laboratory for analysis. Pending lab results, the case will be presented to the St. Louis County Prosecutor for consideration of charges.
Officers responded to a local hotel on Friday morning regarding a disturbance. Upon arrival, they learned the man causing the disturbance had left the building. Officers found him nearby and recognized him as a subject who was wanted by our department for trespassing in an apartment building in January. In connection with the investigation, CPD sought him for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Officers arrested him and transported him to our station for booking. The case will be forwarded to the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration.
That afternoon, Officers were alerted that a license plate reported as stolen had just been spotted by a Flock Safety Camera in our jurisdiction. Officers stopped the vehicle on Clayton Rd. At the time of the stop, the vehicle was occupied by the driver, a passenger in the front seat, and two passengers in the rear seats. When asked about the stolen license plate, the driver claimed he had purchased the plate from someone in his apartment complex. He was issued a summons for Receiving Stolen Property and has an upcoming court date through the Clayton Municipal Court. The stolen plate was seized and will be returned to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Officers asked if there was anything illegal in his vehicle. The driver said there was not and consented to a search of the SUV. During the search, officers found a handgun under the front passenger seat and a second handgun with an extended magazine under the driver’s seat. A computer inquiry revealed that the gun under the driver’s seat had been stolen from Illinois. As a result, one of the passengers was arrested for Felony Receiving Stolen Property, and the case will be forwarded to the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office. Another computer inquiry revealed a different passenger had an active warrant through our department for Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance. He was also arrested and has a new court date through the Clayton Municipal Court.
Later Friday afternoon, a woman reported a vehicle had left the scene of an accident in the central business district. She explained she had parked her vehicle in the parking lot across from the St. Louis County Government building and, upon returning approximately an hour later, discovered fresh damage to the driver’s side of her car. No suspects or witnesses have been identified. The investigation continues.
While walking near Shaw Park on Saturday morning, a resident found a necklace discarded on the ground. He brought it to the CPD, and Officers placed it into evidence for safekeeping. If you believe the necklace belongs to you, please contact the CPD at (314)645-3000 to speak with an Officer.
That afternoon, the Washington University Bears invited Corporal Narez to take to the mound at their First Responders Appreciation Baseball Game. Cpl. Narez had the honor of throwing out the first pitch, and we’re calling it a solid strike! You can see the pitch for yourselves here: https://ow.ly/1AmS50YxIJB.
A woman contacted the CPD on Sunday afternoon to report someone had left the scene of an accident on Tuesday. She explained that she had parked her vehicle on the street in the 6300 block of Southwood on Tuesday morning and, upon returning that afternoon, discovered fresh damage to her back passenger door. No suspects or witnesses have been identified.
Finally, passersby may have seen a large police presence in the 7300 block of Forsyth on Sunday evening. A CPD Officer visited the Mobil gas station in University City’s jurisdiction and observed a man steal merchandise from the store. The Officer confronted the man, who resisted arrest and fled to the Forsyth MetroLink platform, where he was taken into custody. He was released to the University City Police Department and faces charges for Stealing, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.
If you have information about these or other investigations, call the CPD at (314)645-3000. Until next week, stay safe!
