ST. LOUIS — A man and a woman are facing charges after police said they were involved in a car theft that left a popular party bus driver and one other person injured.
According to charging documents, Curtis Alford, 20, and Jana Stowers, 18, approached two people who had just parked a 2015 Ford F-150 on the 700 block of Chestnut for Taste of Downtown. Police said Alford pepper sprayed the victims, took their keys and drove off in the truck.
Charging documents allege he intentionally struck Mike Arnold, who is known around the area as Gus Gus the Fun Bus, and one other person while speeding away from the scene. Charging documents said Arnold was trying to record the crime with his phone when he was struck.
Alford stopped for a moment to pick up Stowers and drove northbound on 7th Street.
Two officers tried to flag the car down, but Alford swerved at them, forcing the officers to jump out of the way, according to charging documents. The car crashed a short time later, and Alford and Stowers were taken into custody.
Alford was charged with four counts of assault, one count of robbery and five counts of armed criminal action. His bond was set at $200,000, cash only.
Stowers was charged with one count of robbery and one count of armed criminal action. Her bond was set at $40,000, cash only.
Arnold is known for his passion for St. Louis and its restaurants and breweries.
"He essentially does promotion for every brewery in the area for free,” said Devin Moore, brewmaster at Kirkwood Station Brewing "He just does it because he really loves our scene and loves making St. Louis a better place."
Now, he’s trying to return the favor.
"I was in shock at first, and then when I came out of that I was like, I have a platform. I'm going to do what I can to support him. He's supported me for years,” Moore said.
Devin is holding a fundraiser Friday. He'll give all proceeds from his small batch release to Mike and his family through a growing GoFundMe page.
The two people robbed of their truck, Dani Milton and Faith Edwards, have also started a GoFundMe page.
At least eight other fundraisers are planned this week.
**Friday, 6/22**
Kirkwood Station Brewing: Donating 100% of beer sales from the Moore Bier Series. Begins at 5pm, also accepting cash donations on-site. One free pint for anyone donating $10 or more. (updated - was mistakenly listed as Thursday).
Exit Six Pub & Brewery: Donating 20% of all sales. Special raffles and prizes happening.
Craft Beer Cellar Clayton: Donating a portion of bar sales from 4 to 8pm.
Alpha Brewing Company: Donating 20% of all sales.
Good News Brewing Company: Donating 15% of all sales
Sugarfire Smokehouse: Running a very special, Special all day at all restaurants.
**Saturday, 6/23**
Steve's Hot Dogs (both locations): Donating 15% of all sales, all day long. The Hill loation (2131 Marconi) is open 10 am to 4 pm. The TG location is 3457 Magnolia from 11 am to 11 pm.
Sugarfire Pie: Donating 15% of all sales, all day long.
**Monday, 6/25**
O'Fallon Brewery: Donating 20% of all sales and collecting cash donations. Come in wearing a GusGusFunBus shirt for a free flight glass pour of one of their everyday beers.
Charleville Brewing Company: Opening from 5-9pm for a special fundraiser event. More details to come.
Ices Plain & Fancy: Donating 20% of all sales all day.
**All Month Long**
Sriracha Grenada: Donating 100% of profits from online sales through July 19th.
((If you are a brewery or restaurant who would like to host a fundraiser on Mike's behalf, please contact us directly through this page with all the details and we will add you to the list. You are welcome to contribute any funds raised directly to the GoFundMe page))
