Crime & Safety
Man Arrested for Fenton Pawn Burglary After Residents ID Thief in Video, Police Say
Rodney N. Mathes is accused of stealing $15,000 in gold jewelry during the smash-and-grab theft.
A Jefferson County man is accused of smashing a glass door and taking about $15,000 in gold jewelry from the Fenton Pawn Shop July 11.
Witnesses identified Rodney N. Mathes, 46, of the 3800 block of Treebrook Drive in Imperial after St. Louis County Police released a surveillance video of the break-in to media, including Patch.com.
Two witnesses called in after seeing the video and identified Mathes in part due to a tattoo on his leg that was visible in the video, police said. The thief in the video used his left hand to smash the glass door and display cases with a hammer. One witness said she knew Mathes is lefthanded because he played catch with her son.
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Police said witnesses also recognized his clothing and facial features, although the thief in the video wore a stocking to obscure his face.
Mathes denied commeting the burglary and said he was at his sister’s house during the burglary. He turned himself in to the St. Louis County Police Department on Thursday.
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Mathes was charged Friday with second-degree burglary and felony theft. He is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center. Bail was set at $30,000.
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