ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Court documents reveal a man has been arrested nearly a dozen times in the past month, and repeatedly for throwing rocks through windows at public establishments.
In just the past week alone, 30-year-old James Abernathy has been arrested at least three times for throwing rocks through windows in south St. Louis County. And multiple incidents happened just hours after he was released from jail.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Abernathy with institutional vandalism and multiple counts of first-degree property damage over the reported rock-throwing incidents.
Investigators said Abernathy was jailed on Wednesday, April 23, after he was linked to throwing rocks at a church and other nearby businesses. He was released later that day and damaged another building just hours later.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, someone threw rocks and shattered a window of St. Luke’s Church at 2761 Telegraph Road.
Surveillance video caught the incident on camera, and police identified Abernathy as a suspect. Upon his arrest, Abernathy was reportedly wearing the same clothes as seen in the church’s video.
While investigating, police also linked Abernathy to property damage at a few other businesses on Telegraph Road.
When questioned by officers, Abernathy admitted to damage and was subsequently booked into jail in St. Louis County.
Later that same day, Abernathy was released from jail and targeted a Value City at 7077 Chippewa Street. Investigators say he threw two rocks through a large front window of the business.
Officers found Abernathy nearby, and he again admitted to damage, according to court documents.
After being released from jail again on April 28, court documents reveal Abernathy allegedly targeted a nearby car wash, the Waterway CarWash at 7201 Watson Road.
He was again arrested and is being held at the St. Louis County Jail.
In all three reported incidents leading to arrests, the damage reportedly exceeded $750.
Court documents state that Abernathy is linked to 12 other property damage and peace disturbance cases over the last month in St. Louis County and beyond.
Following Monday’s arrest, Abernathy was booked into a jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
Read the probable cause statement here: