ST. LOUIS – A man previously charged with breaking into a St. Louis school and stealing laptops is facing new charges in separate burglaries, two of which occurred after he was released from jail.
According to multiple probable cause statements from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Stephon Harris, 31, was arrested July 9 when officers found him inside the Dollar General store in the 1500 block of South Jefferson Avenue after hours. Harris was allegedly carrying a bag full of merchandise after ransacking the store.
During questioning, investigators learned Harris was also responsible for three break-ins at Star Designs in the 1300 block of Gravois Avenue on Nov. 13, 2024, May 9 and May 12, 2025. Harris stole 10 handbags worth approximately $3,000 in November, and clothes, jewelry, leather jackets and handbags worth more than $10,000 on May 9. He stole several items of clothing on May 12.
On June 20, police said Harris went to the Target department store in the 4200 block of Hampton Avenue and stole nearly $250 in goods by hiding them inside a suitcase he’d brought with him. He was detained outside the store.
On June 22, Harris broke into Confluence Preparatory Academy, located in the 3100 block of Meramec Street, overnight. School faculty told investigators that six laptops and 10 Chromebooks had been taken from the school that day. Harris broke into the school the following day, then went to the middle school on June 25 with an accomplice.
Harris went back to Confluence Academy in the early morning hours of June 27 with an accomplice. The two went into the kitchen and ate some food and drank beverages. They were detained in the building.
During questioning, police said Harris admitted committing the school burglaries and even showed officers where he’d stored some of the stolen property.
Harris was released on his own recognizance on June 30.
For the five known incidents, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has charged Harris with one count of first-degree burglary, eight counts of second-degree burglary, five counts of stealing – $750 or more, two counts of stealing, and two counts of first-degree property damage. Harris remains jailed without bond. He’s due to be in court on Thursday, July 17, for this recent arrest, with future court dates scheduled for the other cases.
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