ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A man was charged Wednesday after he allegedly stole multiple iPhone cell phones worth thousands of dollars from a local department store where he worked.
St. Louis County prosecutors charged Ivery Ashford on Wednesday with felony theft that resulted in $750 or more of stolen merchandise and resisting/interfering with arrest. Police said he stole 14 iPhone cell phones from a Walmart located in Kenrick Plaza in the 7400 block of Watson Road in Shrewsbury.
According to charging documents, Ashford worked an overnight shift at the store when he stole the devices valuing more than $13,000. Walmart found out on Wednesday he had stolen the phones and called Shrewsbury police. When they arrived, Ashford quickly drove off with the phones.
Police provided patrol officers with a description of his car and pulled Ashford over shortly after. But, Ashford drove away during the stop and sped off. He eventually crashed his car, got out and ran off with the phones, police said.
An officer with St. Louis County police found Ashford near Interstate 44 and I-270 and tried to arrest him, but Ashford resisted. He was taken into custody shortly after.
Officers found the stolen phones and Ashford admitted to the thefts during his arrest.
Ashford was previously convicted of felony unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree trespassing, police said. He also was arrested for violating probation, failure to appear in court and felony resisting arrest before.
He remains in custody on a $200,000 cash-only bond.
