Storage unit break-in leads to arrests in St. Charles County
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – Two men have been charged after they and an accomplice broke into a storage unit in St. Charles County and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of property.
According to probable cause statements from the St. Charles County Police Department, the break-in and theft occurred on April 10.
The victim contacted police on April 21 and reported several items had been taken, including tools, buckets, and adult entertainment materials. The victim did not know when the break-in occurred, but believed it happened between April 2 and April 21.
The total value of the stolen items is estimated at $9,498.96.
While processing the scene, police found shoeprints on the floor. Matching shoeprints were found on the top of a shelving unit next to the neighboring unit. Police looked inside the second unit and found matching shoeprints on the floor.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the storage facility and determined the theft took place on April 10.
The footage showed one man arrived in a silver Pontiac Grand Prix and two other men arrive in a dark-colored pickup truck. The three men used an elevator to access the second floor of the facility.
Approximately two hours later, the men are seen on the security cameras leaving the facility with two carts loaded with tools, buckets, and other items. The victim identified his property on the video.
One of the men was identified as the renter of that neighboring storage unit. The other two men were identified as David Wagner and Scott Lumma.
Over the next four months, investigators questioned all three men. The first person questioned, the man who rented the neighboring unit, initially denied his involvement but eventually confessed. He allegedly pointed a finger at Lumma, saying he climbed over the wall between the two units and removed property from the victim’s unit.
Lumma admitted he was present at the time of the burglary and that he left the facility with the carts full of items. However, he denied stealing anything.
Police finally met with Wagner at his home and first claimed he was just helping somebody move. When asked if he had stolen property at his home, police Wagner led authorities outside to a shed, where a harness and sander/planer were located. Wagner said those items had been taken from the victim’s storage unit.
The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Wagner and Lumma with second-degree burglary and stealing – $750 or more. He’s been jailed on a $30,000 cash-only bond.
