A downtown St. Louis apartment leasing office turned into a crime scene after staff say a 35-year-old man walked in, went behind the front desk and performed a sex act in full view of employees. Police and court records link the suspect to a separate incident at a nearby elementary school last fall.
Officers were called on Feb. 11 to an apartment building in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue after a leasing-office employee reported seeing a man outside the glass entry doors with his genitals exposed, according to Fox 2. A probable-cause statement alleges the man then entered the building, walked behind the leasing desk while performing a sex act and was still touching himself when officers arrived.
Police identified the suspect as Aaron G. Barber, 35, of St. Louis. Records show Barber was arrested last October after allegedly exposing himself on school property at Patrick Henry Elementary, in the 1200 block of North 10th Street. Court records and police filings show he is scheduled to return to court Feb. 19 in the downtown case and has a separate hearing March 5 in the elementary-school case.
Charges and court status
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has charged Barber with first-degree burglary and first-degree sexual misconduct, the office said. He was released on a personal-recognizance bond Jan. 29 in the school case but is being held without bond in the downtown case until trial, according to Fox 2.
What building staff told police
Leasing-office workers told officers Barber had previously been found naked inside the building, according to the probable-cause paperwork. During the latest incident, one employee tried to pull up his pants, but the man pulled them back down, the documents state. Building management and school officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Public safety and next steps
With formal charges filed, the case moves through St. Louis city court, where prosecutors must present evidence supporting the felony counts. Anyone with information or video related to either incident is asked to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department or the City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety.
