Accused car thief facing 26 charges in two-month crime spree: Police
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man is accused of breaking into multiple businesses over a two-month period and stealing several vehicles.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's probable cause statement, the break-ins and thefts occurred between Dec. 29, 2024, and Feb. 23, 2025, at the following locations:
Dec. 29, 2024: 5134 Southwest Avenue (Southwest Garden)
Jan. 1, 2025: 3218 Brannon Avenue (North Hampton)
Jan. 12, 2025: 2300 Marconi Avenue (The Hill)
Feb. 3, 2025: 1824 Knox Avenue (Ellendale)
Feb. 22, 2025: 3150 Brannon Avenue (Southwest Garden)
Feb. 23, 2025: 4600 McRee Avenue (Southwest Garden)
Police said Michael Pirtle, 32, stole the following vehicles:
1992 Chevrolet pickup truck
2017 Ford F450
2016 Ford 250
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
John Deere Gator utility vehicle
2023 Dodge Ram 2500 van
Polaris Xpedition ATV
E-Z-Go golf cart
Ford Transit
Ford F150
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In addition, investigators said Pirtle took cash, tools, copper piping, and yard equipment from the various locations, and damaged windows, doors, or gates in the process.
Pirtle was arrested on Feb. 28 in an unrelated investigation. Police said his cell phone data put him at the scene of three of the burglaries.
Investigators said Pirtle would target businesses along or near railroad tracks and then escape by using the railroad tracks.
Police said they recovered most of the vehicles and other stolen property at Pirtle's home. The remaining vehicles were found at places where his mother works.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office charged Pirtle with 10 counts of stealing a motor vehicle, six counts of second-degree burglary, five counts of stealing – $750 or more, four counts of first-degree property damage, and one count of second-degree property damage. Pirtle remains in custody without bond. Online records do not show his next scheduled court appearance.
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