ST. LOUIS — Four adults and one 17-year-old were charged this week after police said they were responsible for business break-ins in the Central West End and Downtown West over the last several months.
In a news conference Wednesday, Major Joe Morici said the people arrested were involved in car and business thefts. The suspects were all arrested on different days and remain in custody.
Zephfon Bolden, 20; Kendall Robinson, 19; Me’Kel Walker, 18; and Lavez Walker, 18, were all charged in connection with various crimes in connection with the break-ins. The first arrest was on March 6 and the last arrest was on July 15.
Morici said the alleged crimes occurred around the St. Louis area, including the Central West End and Downtown West neighborhoods, and charging documents identified businesses on Natural Bridge Road as other targeted businesses.
He said the charges were in connection with more than 20 incidents.
Morici said investigators believe the suspects to be connected, and they suspect they were involved in similar crimes in St. Louis and St. Louis County, and investigators are still receiving evidence in those cases. He said there could be other people involved in the cases as well.
In a post on X, St. Louis Metro Police wrote that the department worked with 'partners in the St. Louis County Police Department as well as federal agencies to track down and arrest a group of burglars who have been targeting businesses for months.'
Morici said most of the cases included theft of cash or property that could be easily sold.
The following charges were filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore’s Office:
- Zephfon Bolden: Two counts of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree attempted burglary, three counts of first-degree property damage, two counts of stealing and once count each of resisting arrest by fleeing, resisting arrest and first-degree trespassing.
- Kendall Robinson: Seven counts of second-degree burglary, 12 counts of first-degree property damage, two counts of second-degree attempt burglary, four counts of stealing, stealing of a motor vehicle, stealing a firearm, first-degree burglary, attempted stealing, and second-degree property damage.
- Me’Kel Walker: Seven counts of first-degree burglary, five counts of stealing, five counts of first-degree property damage, and one count of first-degree attempted burglary. St. Louis police provided information to 5 on Your Side showing all of walkers Walker's chagers were for crimes reported on April 28, 2024. There are at least six different business addresses listed as locations where the crimes took place.
- Lavez Walker: five counts of first-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree property damage, three counts of stealing and two counts of second-degree property damage.