From Monday, July 27th to Sunday, August 2nd, your Clayton Police Department (CPD) Officers responded to 382 calls for service, including 18 vehicle crashes and 47 requests for our Officers to assist other agencies. Among those calls were the following incidents:
A man responded to the CPD on Tuesday morning to report check fraud. He explained he had mailed a check to a national organization in early July. At the end of the month, he spoke with a representative of the organization and learned the check had not been received. Upon checking his bank statement, he discovered someone had altered the check and deposited it at a bank in Creve Coeur. It is unclear where or how the check was compromised. The investigation continues.
Later that morning, Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the central business district. Upon their arrival, they discovered one of the vehicles had sustained heavy front-end damage. One of the drivers explained he had been stopped at a red light when he was suddenly struck from behind. Thankfully, neither driver was injured in the crash.
While speaking with Officers, one of the drivers informed them she was under the influence of alcohol. A roadside investigation confirmed her statement, and Officers arrested her for Driving While Intoxicated. She has an upcoming court date through the Clayton Municipal Court.
A woman reported she had been stopped at the yield sign at the intersection of S. Brentwood Blvd. and the exit from Forest Park Parkway when she was struck from behind. She stated she had spoken with the driver of the striking vehicle; however, the man had driven away from the scene without providing his contact and insurance information. No suspects or witnesses have been identified. The investigation continues.
While conducting a traffic stop in the Hillcrest neighborhood on Tuesday night, Officers learned the driver had an active warrant for his arrest for Tampering 1st Degree through the City of Berkeley. The warrant was confirmed, and they arrested the man. He was later transported to the St. Louis County Justice Center, where he was released to jail staff.
During an inventory search of his vehicle, Officers located an unopened container of alcohol stored with items that appeared to belong to the man’s female passenger. As Officers spoke with the passenger, she confirmed the items belonged to her. She initially refused to identify herself and then provided Officers with different versions of fake names and dates of birth. She was transported back to our station for further investigation and, upon arrival at the CPD, admitted she was a juvenile. Officers confirmed her information and learned she had been reported as missing from Franklin County. She was later released to her legal guardian. This case will be forwarded to the St. Louis County Family Courts for their review for Minor in Possession of alcohol and Providing False Identification.
A man stated he had been seated in his vehicle in the 8200 block of Forsyth on Wednesday afternoon when his vehicle surged forward, causing him to strike a brick wall. He stated his vehicle had been parked and the sudden acceleration had been unexpected. Thankfully, he was not injured in the collision. His vehicle sustained heavy damage and was later towed from the scene.
Later that afternoon, Officers responded to the St. Louis County Library for a disturbance in progress. Staff reported a man had been using profanity toward patrons and was no longer welcome on the scene. Officers escorted him off the property without further incident. At the request of the library staff, they informed the man he would be arrested for trespassing if he returned before the expiration of their temporary trespass warning.
While on patrol in the central business district early Thursday morning, a CPD Officer noticed damage to a window on a building in the 7800 block of Forsyth. The Officer searched the exterior of the building and found it outwardly secure. He did not observe any additional damage and contacted the building’s property manager to inform him of his findings. No suspects or witnesses have been identified. The investigation continues.
That afternoon, Officers were called to a local hotel for a report of found property. Employees explained that while cleaning a room that a guest had just vacated, their staff found a handgun in the drawer of the nightstand. They verified the weapon was not stolen and contacted the hotel guest by phone. He confirmed the weapon is registered to him and he had accidentally left it behind. He resides out of state and will make arrangements to retrieve the firearm at a later date. Officers seized the gun for safekeeping and secured it in our evidence vault.
A man reported he had parked his vehicle in the 8300 block of Forsyth on Friday afternoon. When he returned approximately two hours later, he discovered fresh damage to his driver’s side mirror, consistent with a vehicle crash. No note was left behind, and no suspects or witnesses have been identified. The investigation continues.
A short time later, Officers responded to a vehicle crash on the interstate. One of the drivers explained he had been driving in the southbound lanes near the S. Brentwood overpass when a pickup truck suddenly merged into his lane. He stated he was unable to stop and struck the rear of the truck. His vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene. The other driver explained he had changed lanes to avoid traffic congestion ahead and was struck from behind as he merged. Thankfully, neither driver was injured in the collision.
Officers responded to the 8100 block of Maryland after graffiti was found in an alley Saturday afternoon. The property manager explained that a neighboring business had contacted him after discovering spray paint on the building’s brick wall and window. No suspects or witnesses have been identified. The investigation is ongoing.
Finally, Officers returned to the interstate later that afternoon for two separate vehicle collisions that occurred within minutes. In the first, the driver of a Toyota Corolla reported they crashed into the rear of a red sedan. The driver of the red sedan did not remain on the scene or attempt to exchange information. They were last seen continuing southbound on I-170 near S. Brentwood Blvd. In the second crash, the driver of a Toyota Yaris struck the rear of a Honda Fit. Thankfully, no one reported being injured in either collision. Both the Corolla and the Yaris sustained heavy damage and were towed from the interstate. The investigation into the red sedan continues.
Anyone with information about these or other investigations is asked to contact the CPD at (314)645-3000. Until next week, stay safe!
