Man Stole Car Hours After Being Released By Wentzville Police

Just hours after he was released from police custody on a burglary charge, Wentzville Police arrested a Warrenton man Dec. 23 for stealing a car.

Lucas R. Allen, 30, of the 600 block of Third Street in Warrenton, was charged Wednesday with first-degree burglary and theft.

During the early morning hours Dec. 23, Allen went into a back room labeled “Employees only” at the Amoco gas station at 1450 South Service Road, Wentzville Police said. An employee called to him that he was not allowed back there, but he ignored her. While in the back room, he put a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey in his pocket and left, police said.

The employee called the police, who arrested Allen. He was released from the police station at 4 p.m. Dec. 23.

Wentzville Police said Allen then stole a car left running with the keys in the ignition at about 6:35 p.m. Dec. 23.  A New Melle police officer saw Allen drive onto the Mobile on the Run lot at 42 Highway N, according to the report. After a brief struggle, he was taken into custody.

A Mobile on the Run surveillance video shows Allen drive onto the lot in the car, according to the police report.

According to the report, Allen said spontaneously, “I did not steal that car.”

Bail was set at $25,000, cash only for the burglary and theft charges.

For more crime information on Wentzville Patch, see the following articles:

• Police: Teen Stole Three Handguns From Cars in Wentzville