The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department District 3 is on the hunt for an individual involved in a recent theft incident, which happened in broad daylight in Lafayette Square. According to the SLMPD's website, the theft occurred on June 23, around 3:30 p.m., when a resident returning to her home on the 1700 block of Park Avenue was confronted by a surprise — a stranger wielding the contents of a package that was meant to be on her doorstep.
The victim engaged the suspect, who had audaciously asked for money only to be caught red-handed with the items she had ordered; according to the police, during the confrontation, the suspect confessed to opening and pilfering the contents of the victim's parcel but returned almost all of the items save for a pair of brown textured pull-on shorts, before taking off from the scene which the victim found herself both a witness and a participator in the brazen mid-day theft. This narrative of events was put together after the victim promptly contacted authorities to report the incident.
The suspect, who remains at large, has been described by authorities as a young black male, believed to be between 17 and 19 years old, with a short afro hairstyle, and was last seen draped in a St. Louis Blues hooded sweatshirt and light, distressed faded jeans, finished off with striking multi-colored rainbow slippers, a visual to remember. The police are actively seeking any information that may lead to his apprehension and have released photos related to the incident to assist in identification.
Anyone with information on this theft or the whereabouts of the suspect is encouraged to step forward and contact the police; this manner of community vigilance serves as the vigilant eyes and ears that aid the thin blue line, holding fast against the encroachments that flout society's norms as it has done so here in Lafayette Square, where a resident's expectancy for the sanctity of her belongings was met with this abrupt, albeit partial, disregard. More details about this incident and how to provide tips can be found by visiting the SLMPD's dedicated web page for this case.
