The complete St. Clair County Sheriff's Office  News Release February 23rd, 2021 through March 1st, 2021

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.

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.