Caseyville police track down theft suspect with long criminal history

Police say a female career criminal stole from a Caseyville store earlier this month and then managed to escape a pursuing officer, but is now behind bars.

Regina Steward, 39, of Fairmont City was charged with felony retail theft Thursday by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly. She was ordered to be held on $35,000 bail.

According to police reports, officers got a call at 1:10 p.m. on Dec. 8 about a theft at the Dollar General Store at 725 S. Main Street. When officers arrived, they say the suspect fled.

An investigation of the crime led police to Steward, they said.

Steward is no stranger to the inside of a courtroom. She has been charged in the last 20 years with a total of 12 felonies and 11 misdemeanors.

Her rap sheet includes 10 counts of theft or burglary and three counts for possession of a controlled substance.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 7:07 AM with the headline "Caseyville police track down theft suspect with long criminal history."