Sunset Hills Man Stole Car From Woman Visiting His Mother's Home, Police Say

A man was charged with stealing a woman’s car from his mother’s home in Sunset Hills.

Richard Meshell, 39, of the 100 block of Monica Drive in Sunset Hills, was charged Aug. 20 with stealing a car and resisting arrest.

Sunset Hills Police said the woman was visiting the home of Meshell’s mother June 6. After Meshell argued with his mother, he took the keys to a 2009 Hyundai Sonata from the visitor’s purse and took her car without permission, police said.

The woman called police, and the man led officers on a brief pursuit on Interstate 44. Police said he began weaving in and out of traffic and police ended the pursuit.

Police said Meshell committed a theft from the Maplewood Walmart on June 14 and arrived at and left the scene in the stolen Sonata. Meshell was arrested two weeks later and said the woman had given him permission to take her car, police reported.

Meshell was charged Aug. 5 with felony theft from the Maplewood Walmart. He also faces a felony stealing charge filed July 11 for an incident in Bridgeton.

Meshell is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center. Bail was set at $15,000 for the stolen car charge, $10,000 for the Maplewood theft and $7,500 for the Bridgeton theft.