Following is a synopsis of the carjacking cases occurring in February and April of this year in Clayton. There are additional state charges under review, but because we are not certain when these charges may be brought, I have decided to provide information regarding the suspects and the state and federal charges they currently face, and I will follow up with any additional charges as they may be issued. I want you to know our police officers and investigators have done an outstanding job, working countless hours to ensure the safety of our citizens in response to these violent crimes.
The first incident occurred on February 26, 2017, when four suspects carjacked a vehicle at gun point from a resident in the 7700 block of Shirley Drive. This vehicle was then used in a burglary the next day in Popular Bluff, Missouri, where a total of 63 weapons were stolen from a pawn shop. The suspects were subsequently identified by Clayton Police as Germonde Brunner, age 20, Norlando Jackson, age 20, Antywan Seawood, age 19, and Arlandus Howard, age 19.
The second incident occurred on April 27, when three of the four suspects, accompanied by another accomplice, returned to Clayton where they attempted to carjack another vehicle at gun point in the 900 block of S. Central. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and one of the suspects fired multiple shots at the fleeing victim. The driver was not injured and the suspects then fled the area in a vehicle they had carjacked in the city of St Louis on April 25.
Clayton Police arrested suspects Brunner, Howard, and Seawood in May 2017 on state charges of Robbery First Degree and Assault First Degree. Brunner and Howard were later indicted for Robbery 1st. Howard was additionally indicted for Assault 1st (Shooting into a vehicle). Seawood was indicted for Felony Stealing.
On September 22, 2017, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced indictments charging Brunner, Jackson, Seawood, and Howard with Possession of Stolen Firearms. Jackson, Seawood, and Howard were also charged with two counts of Carjacking and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. Brunner was charged with a single count of Carjacking and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. In addition to the pending state charges, all suspects are subject to substantial federal sentences, up to a maximum of life in prison.
I am very proud of the investigation conducted by our detectives, and the manner in which the case was coordinated with assisting agencies. As many have heard me say over the past year in neighborhood meetings, there is a criminal element which considers Clayton and other surrounding cities to be easy targets. People are known to leave valuables unattended in unlocked cars. Unfortunately, that word has traveled far and wide, and it has become hard to break that cycle because thieves have had a degree of success.
In this case, our investigators put in a significant amount of overtime to bring this case to a successful resolution. If, as we anticipate, these cases are resolved with guilty pleas and/or convictions, these criminals will have paid a very heavy price for underestimating our resolve. With these arrests we let it be known if you do this type of crime in our community we will use every resource at our disposal to find you and to make sure that you pay that heavy price.
In closing, I want to suggest that residents remain vigilant and continue to assist us by locking their vehicles and removing valuables. Thank you for your cooperation and your continuing support of our efforts to keep the community safe.
I also want to acknowledge our law enforcement partners, as this investigation was a joint effort among the following jurisdictions: Clayton Police Department, St Louis Metropolitan Police Department, University City Police Department, Popular Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, East St Louis Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Crime Laboratory and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
