Two charged with felonies in connection with Belleville MetroLink beating

Two men have been charged in connection with the beating of a MetroLink security guard in Belleville.

Thomas J. May, 33, of Belleville, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery and Christopher A. Wininger, 29, of New Baden was charged with one count, according to St. Clair County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Scott Weymouth.

“The men had their feet over the edge of the platform and were asked to move,” Weymouth said. “When they wouldn’t comply with MetroLink rules, they were asked to leave the property. That’s when they attacked the guard, punching him in the face and head.”

The incident happened at about 9:20 p.m. Monday at the Scheel Street MetroLink station near downtown Belleville. The MetroLink was especially crowded Monday night following the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener.

Sheriff’s department deputies were able to quickly respond to the scene and bring the two men into custody. They were being held Wednesday in the St. Clair County Jail on $20,000 bail each.

The guard, who works for the private security firm, Securitas, was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released.

According to St. Clair County court records, May was charged in 2007 with resisting a peace officer and the charge was dismissed after he completed court supervision.

A Class 2 felony is punishable by a prison term of three to seven years with a conviction.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Two charged with felonies in connection with Belleville MetroLink beating."