Cracker Barrel worker shot after yelling at teen getting in his running car, MO cops say

A Cracker Barrel worker started his vehicle so it could warm up before he got off work, then he took the trash out. But as the 52-year-old man was emptying the trash, he saw a gray Nissan drive up next to his running car, police in Missouri said.

The employee then saw a boy get out of the Nissan and enter his car at about 5:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, according to a news release from the St. Charles Police Department.

He yelled at the boy, then someone shot at the worker several times, police said. The employee was shot in his elbow and buttocks.

Three boys escaped in the Nissan, police said, and the worker was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Nissan went eastbound on I-70 when the car got a flat tire, police said. They left the car on the shoulder of the Missouri interstate and went to a trash dump in Earth City to steal a work truck, according to the release.

The stolen truck was found crashed in a ditch just outside of Earth City, police said.

Officers with the Maryland Heights Police Department saw three boys and three girls running in the area following the Cracker Barrel shooting, authorities said.

Officers with Maryland Heights and St. Charles began a search, where they found two teenage boys and three girls. The five kids were taken into custody.

“Early investigation determined the Nissan had been reported stolen from Vinita Park (the night before),” police said. “The three boys picked up the three girls and went to a hotel in the Earth City area. The three girls were left at the hotel when the three boys left again in the Nissan.”

At about 8:30 a.m., police found the third boy and took him into custody.

The boys — ages 14, 15 and 16 — were taken to St. Louis County Juvenile Court. The girls are not facing charges, but they are considered witnesses in the investigation.

The gun used in the shooting at Cracker Barrel has not been found, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

“We can confirm an employee was shot in the parking lot of our St. Charles, MO store. Thankfully, we understand he’s on the road to recovery,” a spokesperson with Cracker Barrel said in a statement to McClatchy News. “The safety of our team members and guests is always our highest priority. We appreciate law enforcement for their swift action as they report that suspects are in custody. We are cooperating fully in their investigation. Meanwhile, we will continue to provide support to this employee and the entire St. Charles team.”

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the St. Charles Police Department at 636-949-3300.

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