2 men arrested for evidence tampering in Velda City homicide

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Two men are in custody in connection with a homicide investigation in Velda City.

According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis County Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call in the 7000 block of Glenboro Drive around 1:30 p.m. Police found Jeremiah Latimore of Jennings shot to death in the area of West Florissant Avenue and Gaylord Drive. Latimore was 22.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage of the scene recorded in the aftermath of the shooting. They claim Patrick Towns, 22, can be seen on the video taking a gun from Latimore’s body. Anthony Bell, 21, drove Towns from the area.

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Towns was later arrested at a home connected to Bell. Police claim he invoked his Miranda rights after being taken into custody but, while being taken to jail, told officers he could get them the gun he stole.

The same day as Towns’ arrest, police located Bell at St. Mary’s Hospital. Police claim Bell admitted to approaching Latimore’s body, watching Towns take the gun, and to driving off.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged both Towns and Bell with stealing a firearm and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. Both men have been jailed on $75,000 cash-only bonds.

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