St. Louis, MO - STATE HIGHWAY PATROL CRUISER Stolen - Vehicle Found - Loaded Shotgun - Handcuffs - Bulletproof Vests Missing
At casino, Mo. trooper loses his cruiser
By Harry Levins
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Mar. 13 2007
Most of the people inside the President casino were losing money early this
morning. But one of the people was losing something more important -- a
highway
patrol cruiser.
About 3 a.m., somebody managed to steal the unmarked cruiser -- which was
loaded with a police shotgun, plus handcuffs, bulletproof vests and other
police equipment.
St. Louis police recovered the cruiser at 6:40 a.m. But police spokesman
Richard Wilkes said that the thief had stripped the cruiser of the shotgun and
two bulletproof vests.
Still unclear is precisely where the cruiser was found. It was recovered
somewhere in the city's Fourth Police District, which covers downtown and
surrounding areas.
The cruiser had been driven to the waterfront by a Highway Patrol officer who
serves as a gaming agent. "That's his detail," said Highway Patrol Cpl. Julie
Scerine.