Man charged with stealing liquor from University City grocery store
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A man was charged for stealing several bottles of liquor from a grocery store in University City.
In a probable cause statement from the University City Police Department, the incident occurred on Sept. 13 at a Schnucks grocery store in University City.
According to police, the suspect, Arnold L. Burton Jr. (age not provided), entered a Schnucks in University City, grabbed several bottles of liquor and placed them in a bag before exiting without paying.
As Burton exited the store, police say he walked past a Schnucks employee and held out his arm before telling them, "Don't say anything because I got a gun."
According to police, surveillance video captured the crime and employees were able to identify Burton, who they were familiar with due to previous incidents of stealing from the store.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Burton with first-degree robbery. He is being held in custody on a $75,000 cash-only bond, no 10 percent. Burton is next set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 20.
Police said Burton has prior convictions for possession in 2000, stealing in April 2025, and second-degree assault in May 2025.
