Couple charged with murder in fatal hit-and-run accident

ST. PETERS, Mo. -- An eastern Missouri couple were charged with murder Sunday after a security guard died from injuries suffered when he was hit by a pickup truck.

Angie Crenshaw and Johnny Barclay, both of Vandalia, were charged Sunday by St. Charles County prosecutors.

About 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, James Toppett was attempting to stop Crenshaw at a Shop N Save, St. Peters police said. Crenshaw was suspected of stealing several packages of nasal decongestant.

The chase led Toppett, 40, out of the store, where Barclay allegedly drove his truck into the guard in an apparent attempt to prevent him from catching Crenshaw, police said.

After Crenshaw jumped into the passenger seat of the pickup, Barclay backed up and struck Toppett again, pinning him against a wall, police said.

Barclay and Crenshaw fled in the truck, and Toppett died 40 minutes later at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Peters.

St. Peters police followed the truck, which was abandoned after the suspects drove it into a residential swimming pool. Police caught the two suspects on foot a short time later.