ST. LOUIS – Two St. Louis men will appear in court Monday afternoon after being arrested last week for allegedly stealing utility wire and components from an area struck by the May 16 tornado.

According to probable cause statements from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, police were patrolling the 1900 block of Marcus Avenue on Friday, May 30, when an officer saw a man standing by a parked red pickup truck that had utility wire in the bed.

The officer stopped and spoke with the individual, identified as Daryl Allen, 61, who said the truck and wire belonged to him.

Police said Allen eventually told them Ameren Missouri had recently come through the area to repair utility poles and left the wiring and components behind, so he believed he could take them.

While questioning and detaining Allen, officers saw a silver pickup truck parked across the street with more utility wire and components left in the bed. Police said DeJesus Wade, 41, was on his balcony and saw officers by the truck. Wade said the silver truck was his.

Police claim Wade told officers the wire and components had been left behind by a utility pole, so he put them in his truck.

Both Allen and Wade live in the area, police said.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Allen and Wade with one count of stealing – $750 or more. They remain jailed without bond.