St. Louis man eludes capture after stealing two vehicles from South County in two days

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on Dec. 10 on suspect William Bishop, Jr., 39, of the 6500 block of Hancock Avenue in St. Louis, for two counts of stealing a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.

Bishop is being held on a $75,000 cash only, no 10% bond.   

The charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

According to a probable cause statement, Bishop stole a 2009 Nissan Altima from outside of a Circle K, 1920 Union Road, after victim No. 1 left the vehicle unlocked and running. This occurred on Dec. 8 at approximately 12:19 p.m.

Security cameras recorded video of the theft, which was later used to identify Bishop as police recognized him from similar offenses. Bishop was subsequently identified from a photo lineup. 

The vehicle was recovered several hours later, unoccupied at the entrance ramp from Big Bend Road onto Interstate 44. 

The following day, Dec. 9, Bishop stole another vehicle; this time a 1991 Oldsmobile from outside a Mobil station on Big Bend Road in Crestwood. Like the Nissan from the prior day, the Oldsmobile was also unlocked with its keys inside. 

Bishop was yet again identified by police from a surveillance video. He was wearing the same clothing from the previous day. 

The owner of the Oldsmobile and her family were able to track a mobile phone that was left inside the vehicle before it was stolen to a QuikTrip at 3934 Lemay Ferry Road. When the group arrived at the QuikTrip, the Oldsmobile was found parked at a gas pump. They attempted to prevent Bishop from driving away, positioning their vehicles to try to block him in. 

Regardless, Bishop drove away in the Oldsmobile, striking the two vehicles that had tried to block him in as well as another car parked at an adjacent pump in the process. 

By the time the police arrived, Bishop was already driving the Oldsmobile away from the scene, eluding capture.

Bishop was again identified as the driver of the vehicle from surveillance video as well as from a photo lineup.  

The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Property detectives are handling this investigation. 

Anyone with information should contact investigators at the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).