Police Arrest Missouri Smash-And-Grab Bandit Who Targets Bulk Vending Machines

Richard Wayne Christian

FESTUS, MO -- A Missouri man has been arrested for an alleged mini crime spree that reportedly targeted small businesses and bulk vending machines. Richard Wayne Christian, 28, of St. Louis County has been charged with allegedly breaking into three businesses in Festus, MO. Reports say he broke into a pizza parlor, butcher shop and Asian barbeque restaurant to steal vending equipment.

Authorities stated that on Feb. 22 Christian used a golf club to break out the glass front door of a local barbeque restaurant and made off with a Super Bounce-A-Roo and three bulk machines. He struck again on March 8, they contend, in another smash-and-grab burglary; this time he threw a metal pry bar through the glass door of a local butcher shop, stealing its bulk vender, along with a display case containing 25 knives. Another burglary on March 16 occurred at a local pizza parlor; in this instance, authorities allege Christian used a brick to gain entrance through a glass door and to steal a bill changer.

He was arrested on March 18.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged Christian with three counts of second-degree burglary. Another count for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, was included in the charges.