ST. CLAIR COUNTY SHERIFF

Sheriff Lee Hilty reported deputies made four arrests and took multiple reports during the week of February 23rd, 2021 through March 1st, 2021.

Arrests

Thomas, Brent – On February 23rd, Brent Thomas, 47, Osceola, was arrested at the Probation and Parole Office on a St. Clair County warrant for a Felony charge of Driving While Revoked/Suspended. The bond was set at $5,000.00 cash or surety.

Papstein, Ronald – On February 25th, Ronald Papstein, 58, Collins, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for a Felony charge of Unlawful Use of Weapon – Subsection 4- Exhibiting, and a Felony charge of Domestic Assault – 2nd Degree. The bond was set at $10,000.00 cash or surety.

The arrest was made when a St. Clair County deputy was dispatched to J Highway in reference to shots fired. Upon arriving, the deputy made contact with the victim, whom reported that Ronald had pushed him/her against the wall, and fired a rifle at the wall.

Perkins, Patricia – On March 1st, Patricia Perkins, 35, Leavenworth, was arrested at the St. Clair County Courthouse on a Failure to Appear Platte County warrant for a Felony charge of Robbery – 2nd Degree. The bond was set at $5,000.00 cash or surety.

Masters, Alexzander – On March 1st, Alexzander Masters, 21, Independence, was arrested on an El Dorado Springs Police Department Failure to Appear warrant, and a St. Clair County warrant for a Felony charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana/Synthetic Cannabinoid, and a Misdemeanor charge of Driving While Intoxicated. The total bond for both warrants was set at $15,628.00 cash or surety.

The arrest was made after St. Clair County deputies performed a traffic stop on the vehicle Alexzander was the driver of. K9 Officer Kormi worked with the deputies and alerted to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle found a black case commonly used for storing eyeglasses, which contained multiple small bags of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Merl Thieme Passing

On February 23rd, two St. Clair County deputies responded to SE Old Highway 13 in regards to a well being check for a possible person passing away. Upon arriving, the deputies made contact with Bruce Thurman, the nephew of Merl Thieme. When Bruce showed the deputies that Merl was laying on the floor, and was pronounced dead, Sheldon Funeral Home was called. Sheldon Funeral Home staff advised they believed Merl had a heart attack and fell where he was laying.

Stolen Firearms/Live Grenades

On February 25th, St. Clair County deputies responded to SE Old Highway 13 in Collins, in reference to missing firearms. The deputies arrived on scene and spoke with Bruce and Emma Thurman, which were the son-in-law and granddaughter of the property owner, Merl Thieme. Sheriff Hilty and deputies were informed of several live hand grenades, possible tripwires, a Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle, a Browning .30 Caliber Belt-Fed Machine Gun, and several other firearms.

At this time, the FBI and ATF showed up to assist with situation, and guards were posted on the property until the United States Air Force Bomb Disposal Unit could arrive, and safely handle the explosives.

Sheriff Lee Hilty reported deputies made six arrests and took multiple reports during the weeks of February 23rd, 2021 through March 8th,  2021.                                                        

Arrests

Mccurdy, Christopher – On March 3rd, Christopher Mccurdy, 42, Appleton City, was arrested by Vernon County Police Department on a St. Clair County warrant for a Felony charge of Domestic Assault – 2nd Degree. Christopher was transported from the Vernon County Jail to the St. Clair County Jail, and the bond was set at $10,000.00 cash or surety.

Lewman, Johnny – On March 3rd, Johnny Lewman, 59, Lowry City, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a Henry County Failure to Appear warrant for No Insurance. The bond was set at $200.00 cash only.

Bly, Zachery – On March 4th, Zachery Bly, 21, Kansas City, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on 6 Clay County Failure to Appear warrants, and a St. Clair County warrant for a Felony charge of Resisting/Interfering with Arrest For a Felony, and a Felony charge of Assault – 2nd Degree- Special Victim. The total bond for the Clay County warrants was set for $29,100.00 cash only and the bond for the St. Clair County warrant was set at $15,000.00 cash only.

The arrest was made when information was given by a Polk County citizen had witnessed the vehicle Zachery was the driver of, stealing mail from mailboxes, and fled from the scene. Upon being stopped by St. Clair County deputies, Zachery drove off and crossed over north into the south bound lanes. At this time, he drove at a high rate of speed into oncoming traffic, while deputies attempted to get ahead of him to warn drivers of the danger. Zachery crossed over the lanes multiple times, ramming a patrol vehicle, and eventually rolled his vehicle while attempting to cross the median on 13 Highway, North of A Highway and C Highway Junction. During the investigation, it appeared he was stealing mail between Kansas City and Springfield. Sheriff Hilty praises the deputies and their quick thinking in trying to warn motorists of the dangerous situation. Anyone who may have encountered this subject traveling at them are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office.

Beckmon, Crystal – On March 4th, Crystal Beckmon, 39, El Dorado Springs, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a St. Clair County warrant on a Felony charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana/Synthetic Cannabinoid. Crystal was transported from the Polk County Jail to the St. Clair County Jail and the bond was set at $5,000.00 cash only.

Barks, Christopher – On March 5th, Christopher Barks, 40, Liberty, was arrested by Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in the State of Kansas for a St. Clair County Failure to Appear warrant on a Felony charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana/Synthetic Cannabinoid. Christopher was transported from Johnson County, Kansas, to the St. Clair County Jail and the bond was set at $5,000.00 cash or surety.

McFarland, Mary – On March 5th, Mary McFarland, 22, Kansas City, was arrested for a Felony charge of Stealing – Physically Take. Mary was booked and released pending formal charges.

Moore, Alexandria – On March 5th, Alexandria Moore, 27, Clinton, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a Clinton Police Department Failure to Appear Misdemeanor warrant. The bond was set for $225.00 cash or surety.

Hutchens, Shanna – On March 7th, Shanna Hutchens, 47, Blue Springs, was arrested by a St. Clair County deputy on a Polk County Failure to Appear Misdemeanor warrant. The bond was set at a total of $100.00 cash only.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Hilty urges those with any related information to these cases or any others to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.