ST. LOUIS – Two St. Louis men have been charged with stealing a transformer and utility wiring in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado.
According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department probable cause statement, the theft happened on Sunday, May 25, in the 1300 block of Baynard Avenue in the city’s Fountain Park neighborhood.
Police responded to calls that men were stealing a transformer in the area. Officers arrived to find Robert Jamison, 36, and Larry Teague, 68, standing by a large wagon containing a transformer and utility wire. Both Jamison and Teague live nearby.
As both men were being arrested, police said Jamison asked, “What did we do? We aren’t allowed to take anything off the ground?”
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Teague and Jamison with stealing – $750 or more. Teague was released on personal recognizance but ordered to appear at a court hearing on June 26. Jamison’s bond was set at $10,000. He has a detention hearing scheduled for June 2 and a preliminary hearing on June 24.