Men Busted Riding in Stolen SUV in St. Peters by Undercover Officer

A St. Charles County Drug Task Force detective spotted two men in a stolen SUV on Mexico Road just east of Salt Lick Road Thursday, according to a St. Peters Police report.

Jesse Gonzalez, 18, of the first block of Matchlock in St. Charles County, was charged Thursday with first-degree tampering with a vehicle. He was driving a 2002 Acura SUV reported stolen in St. Peters, according to an officer’s report.

Nicholas Brutto, 18, of the first block of Sunnyside Drive in St. Charles County, was charged Thursday with second-degree tampering with a vehicle. He was a passenger in the SUV.

St. Peters Police reported that an undercover officer with the Drug Task Force spotted the stolen Acura and began following it and said he saw Gonzalez driving it. While the officer was following the vehicle, Brutto got out of the SUV and fled on foot.

The vehicle later was recovered unoccupied. Gonzalez was arrested at his home, but said he did not drive or ride in the stolen SUV, police said.

Brutto said he rode in the SUV, but did not know it was stolen. He said Gonzalez was driving.

Police said the steering column was damaged.

Gonzalez is being held in St. Charles County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond. Brutto is being held in St. Charles County jail in lieu of a $500 bond, cash only.

For more crime information on St. Peters Patch, see the following articles:

• Police Arrest Four Connected to Stealing Items from Cars