Update: Maryland Heights Man Threatened to Burn Down Church, Shoot Pastor, Police Say

The man, who told St. Charles Police he practices witchcraft and hears demons, phoned in the threat Sunday.

A man who told police he practices witchcraft phoned in threats against Matthais' Lot Church and the church's pastor on Sunday. He left messages telling the church pastor, Marc Sikma, that he would burn the St. Charles church building down. Police said Derek M. Ficik, 26, of the 12100 block of Sagemeadow Lane in Maryland Heights, also told Sikma he would “look Pastor Sikma directly in the eyes and tell him to pray to God right before he puts a bullet in his head.” “He further threatened to burn Christianity and all its followers and he would fill the seas with Christian blood,” according to St. Charles Police probable cause statement. St. Charles Police provided updated information Wednesday afternoon in a news release. Police said in the …

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Maryland Heights Crime Blotter

Man Arrested for Alleged Marijuana Possession

Police investigate DWIs, assaults and drugs the weekend of Dec. 3.

Maryland Heights Police investigated a variety of crimes throughout the weekend, including instances of driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession and theft. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 4 Dec. 5

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Furnace, Shrimp Stolen; Pranksters Abound

A roundup of odd, unusual and head-scratching crime reports in and around the area.

Hot property A furnace was stolen after a residential break-in May 16 on South Broadway in Mehlville. No one apparently saw the giant behemoth of a burglar who nabbed the furnace. Cold, hard ... Shrimp? The owner of Chong Wah Chinese Restaurant in University City reported a burglary at the business May 19, where thieves broke into the restaurant, stealing $300 and a case of frozen shrimp. Didn't Know Anyone Still Did This On May 18, someone placed a bag of dog waste on a front porch of a home on Luray Drive in Chesterfield and lit it on fire before driving off. No word on whether they rang the doorbell first. In a Related Story ... Rock Community Fire Protection District reported an arson fire May 13 in which someone entered the grounds of…

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Accused Murderer's Pretrial Conference Rescheduled

A Maryland Heights man accused of Arson and First Degree Murder is scheduled to have a pretrial Conference in July.

Tyrone Benedict, a Maryland Heights man accused of murder, had his pretrial conference rescheduled on May 20. According to Missouri's CaseNet system, Benedict is now set to have a pretrial conference on July 12. Benedict is accused of murdering a quadriplegic man who was in his care. Officials say Benedict stabbed Mark Woods and set the man's residence on fire. Woods died of smoke inhalation. Benedict is charged with first-degree murder and arson.

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UPDATE: Maryland Heights Man Charged with Murder

Tyrone C. Benedict of Maryland Heights is charged with murder and arson.

The St. Louis County Police Department has charged Tyrone C. Benedict of Maryland Heights with first degree murder and first degree arson. The arrest stems from a fire at 140 Kinswood Lane at 5:45 a.m on Feb. 23. Mark J. Woods was found dead inside the home, according to the release. St. Louis County is holding Benedict without bond. Update, 3:12 p.m.: According to documents from the St. Louis County Prosecutor's office, Benedict was the care taker for Woods — a quadraplegic. When police asked Benedict about his whereabouts, he lied, but later admited to arriving after the fire had started. Benedict told police he tried to save Woods, according to the documents, but failed. He told police Woods tried to abuse him, and showed authorities …

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