ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Metropolitan Police have released body camera footage connected to the arrest of 53 year old Robert Lee Brown, the man charged in a series of alleged burglaries and attempted burglaries involving eight St. Louis homes.
The release provides another look at an investigation that stretched across the city’s 2nd, 3rd and 5th police districts.
According to information previously provided by police and allegations contained in a probable cause statement, several of the incidents involved homes that were occupied while residents were sleeping.
Brown was arrested Oct. 6 by officers assigned to the 3rd District. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office reviewed cases involving the 2nd, 3rd and 5th districts before approving charges.
The probable cause statement describes incidents on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2, 3 and 4. Investigators allege Brown entered or tried to enter homes through windows, a back door and a screened porch.
On Sept. 30, police allege Brown used garden shears to pry open a rear window at a home in the 2600 block of South 12th Street. The statement says he took a laptop, purse, wallet and knife while the resident slept inside.
On Oct. 2, Brown allegedly pried open a window at a home in the 800 block of Allen Avenue and took a tablet, wallet, vehicle keys and cellphone while the resident was sleeping. The statement alleges he then stole the resident’s vehicle.
The Oct. 3 allegations involve homes on Waterman Boulevard, Kingsbury Avenue and Washington Avenue. Police allege Brown broke a rear window with a rock at one home, attempted to enter another through a back door, cut through a screened porch at another residence and later took property from a home on Washington Avenue before allegedly trying to start the resident’s vehicle.
On Oct. 4, Brown allegedly tried to enter a home in the 3500 block of Flora Court using garden shears but left when a dog began barking. Police further allege he entered another home in the 3900 block of Flora Place through a rear window and took a phone that was beside a resident’s sleeping daughter.
Investigators say surveillance cameras recorded Brown at several residences. The officer who prepared the probable cause statement wrote that Brown, after being advised of his rights, admitted to the burglaries and identified himself in surveillance video. Those assertions remain allegations in the case.
The newly released body camera footage documents part of the police response and arrest connected to the investigation.
Police directed further inquiries about the charges to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.
Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Video: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
VOTP News STL will continue following the case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
