WATCH: Video shows tow truck driver stealing cars in Dutchtown
SOUTH ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) - A St. Louis County man has been arrested and charged after surveillance video captured him using a tow truck to steal cars, police said.
Police tell First Alert 4 that on April 16, a woman reported her white Pontiac Grand Prix stolen from Liermann Avenue. The next day, a man reported a Honda Accord that belonged to his employer had been stolen. Investigators say Melonie Bess’ cameras captured a C&J Transport tow truck hauling both cars away.
”What you’re doing is wrong! You’re taking from hard-working people,” said Bess. “You’ve already taken two cars that belong to somebody, I was protecting me and others in the neighborhood.”
Video shows Bess confront the driver when police say he tried to take a third car; but she says he drove off as she called police.
First Alert 4 searched C&J Transport on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website and couldn’t determine if the company is an active business in the St. Louis area.
On Thursday, court records show that 47-year-old Bryant Wendell was charged in two distinct cases. In one case, prosecutors charged him with stealing a motor vehicle and first-degree property damage. In a second case also filed on Thursday, he is charged with stealing a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors have charged Wendell for unlawfully towing the Pontiac Grand Prix and causing an excess of $750 worth of damage to it. He is also charged with stealing the Honda Accord.
According to an SLMPD probable cause statement, Wendell was expected to meet with a probation officer at a courthouse in St. Louis on Wednesday, and that’s when he was taken into custody.
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