Full Notification

On Monday January 15 the Millstadt Police Department and surrounding agencies were alerted that the St. Louis County Police Department had attempted to stop a Cadillac SUV, that matched the description of a suspect vehicle in recent residential burglaries in the St. Louis area. The vehicle was last seen headed towards Illinois, from South St. Louis County, across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge. Just under an hour later, at approximately 1:22 a.m., Millstadt Police were dispatched to an address on Jotham Court, in reference to an unknown subject ringing the female caller’s doorbell. The caller also reported seeing a large white SUV parked across the street. While en route to the scene, the Millstadt Officer was advised by the telecommunicator, that the suspect could be heard damaging, what would later be determined to be, the backdoor. As the officer was on East Madison Street, near the Alpine Meadows Subdivision, he observed the suspect vehicle come towards him. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the vehicle fled. The officer continued to try and stop the vehicle and get a registration plate. The vehicle had disobeyed several traffic control devices and was travelling at a high rate of speed. When unsafe speeds were reached, the Officer terminated the attempt on State Route 163 near Concordia Church Road.

Shortly thereafter, officers from multiple police departments attempted to stop the vehicle, until stop sticks were used on Interstate 255, near mile post 8. The vehicle eventually stopped at mile post 5. A male driver was taken into custody. A female passenger was taken into custody after initially resisting arrest. A Cahokia K9 Unit did bite the female during the apprehension. Departments from the Belleville, Cahokia, Dupo and Columbia Police Departments assisted with the pursuit and or apprehension of the two subjects.

Meanwhile the Millstadt Officer, along with officers from the Smithton, Freeburg, and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, responded to the address on Jotham, and met with the victim. The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene.
Later that morning detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department and Arnold, Missouri Police Department, arrived in Millstadt, where a joint investigation began. The suspects were subsequently interviewed at the St. Clair County Jail.
On Tuesday the 16th St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly’s office charged the driver of the vehicle with four felony charges. According to the charging documents the defendant, Steven T. Sutherland, age 34 of St. Louis, Missouri, was charged with the following:
Count 1: Attempt Residential Burglary: In that he performed a substantial step toward the commission of that offense, in that he knowingly and without authority, tried to enter in the dwelling place of the victim, with the intent to commit therein a theft. A Class 2 Criminal Felony.
Count 2: Aggravated Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer: In that he willfully fled or attempted to elude the police officer and that when willfully fleeing or attempting to elude the police officer, the defendant disobeyed two or more official traffic control devices, being stop signs. A Class 4 Criminal Felony.
Count 3: Aggravated Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Police Officer: In that he willfully fled or attempted to elude the police officer and that when willfully fleeing or attempting to elude the police officer, the defendant travelled at a rate of 21 miles or more over the legal speed limit. A Class 4 Criminal Felony.
Count 4: Criminal Damage to Property: In that he knowingly damaged property of the victim, a door in the residence, with out the consent of the victim, said damage being in excess of $500. A Class 4 Criminal Felony.

His bond was set at $75,000.

The passenger, Savana R. Anderson age 31 of St. Louis, was charged by the Cahokia Police Department with Resisting a Peace Officer, Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Unlawful Striking a Police Animal. She also had warrants out for her arrest out of St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

There is no indication the victim knew the suspect, and it appeared to be a random act. The victim did the correct thing by immediately calling 911. Although it was an extremely stressful situation, she remained calm and provided the dispatcher with key information, which assisted in the police eventually apprehending the subjects.