A Flock Camera Alert resulted in the arrest of a Hannibal suspect by Bowling Green police, who discovered the suspect had committed multiple felony thefts and was transporting three pounds of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
The incident occurred on December 2 at 6:13 p.m., when officers with the Bowling Green Police Department were patrolling near Business Hwy 61 South and Sharry Drive. They received a Flock Camera Alert related to a vehicle coming into town from Highway 61.
The vehicle was flagged in the Flock Camera System due to its involvement with multiple felony thefts in Bowling Green and nearby areas. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in front of the Ayerco Gas Station on Business Hwy 61 South.
The driver was identified as Robert E. McGruder, a resident of Hannibal, Missouri. During their investigation, officers determined that McGruder had stolen numerous items from a business in Bowling Green, Missouri.
While speaking with McGruder, officers noticed a gray Wal-Mart grocery bag in the back seat in plain view. Upon further observation, they saw three ziplock bags containing a white, crystal-like substance. Based on this discovery, officers searched the vehicle and located three one-pound bags of methamphetamine, totaling approximately three pounds.
McGruder was arrested on charges of Trafficking 1st Degree and felony stealing and was transported to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, where he is being held pending the issuance of a warrant. A preliminary field test confirmed that the white crystal-like substance was indeed methamphetamine.
Judge Berry of the Pike County Associate Circuit Court issued a warrant for McGruder’s arrest, charging him with Trafficking Drugs 1st Degree (Felony A), Stealing $750 or more (Felony D), and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Felony C), with a $500,000 cash-only bond.
Further investigation revealed that McGruder had previously traveled to the St. Louis area, specifically near Jennings Station Road in North County, before continuing along Highway 61 into Bowling Green. Authorities believe he was en route to deliver some or all of the methamphetamine to a local resident in the Bowling Green area.