JENNINGS, Mo. (October 29, 2026) — A 20-year-old St. Louis man faces multiple felony charges after authorities say he injured a St. Louis County police officer while attempting to flee in a stolen vehicle during an August investigation in Jennings.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed five charges against Marquis Hardin, 20, of the 8800 block of Wiedle Place in St. Louis, on Wednesday, October 28.
Hardin is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond, with no 10% option, according to the St. Louis County Police Department.
Five Criminal Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged Hardin with the following offenses:
- First-degree assault or attempted assault involving serious physical injury or a special victim
- Armed criminal action
- Tampering with a motor vehicle
- Two counts of first-degree property damage
The charges stem from an August 11, 2026, incident involving a stolen 2025 Toyota Camry in the 2600 block of Terrace Lane in Jennings.
Police Officer Injured During Attempted Traffic Stop
According to the probable cause statement, Toyota Safety notified St. Louis County Police on August 11 that a stolen 2025 Toyota Camry was idling on Terrace Lane.
Investigators determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen from St. Louis City on July 18, 2026.
At approximately 11:43 p.m., two officers responded to the location and observed the Camry running with two occupants seated in the front.
When officers activated their emergency lights, the front-seat passenger immediately exited the vehicle with her arms raised.
Police identified Hardin as the driver.
According to court documents, Hardin began moving the Camry forward before reversing toward one of the responding officers.
The officer had exited his patrol vehicle and was standing near the Camry when the situation escalated.
Investigators allege that Hardin continued reversing, striking a parked Lincoln Continental.
As the Camry moved backward, the officer became pinned between the vehicle’s door and the surrounding vehicles, causing an injury to his right shoulder.
The force of the collision reportedly threw the officer into the Lincoln Continental.
Authorities say Hardin then accelerated away from the scene.
The injured officer was transported to a nearby hospital, where he received medical treatment.
Police reported that the Lincoln Continental was totaled.
Stolen Toyota Found Abandoned and Totaled
Following the incident, investigators located the stolen Toyota Camry abandoned just minutes after the collision.
Authorities said the Camry had also been totaled.
Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.
During the search, investigators recovered a receipt from a Schnucks grocery store.
Police used the receipt to obtain surveillance footage, which helped investigators identify Hardin as a suspect in the incident.
Suspect Arrested in St. Louis City Before County Charges
On October 25, 2026, Hardin was arrested in St. Louis City on allegations of aggravated fleeing and first-degree tampering.
He was charged in St. Louis City Circuit Court under case number 2622-CR03783 and confined in the St. Louis City Jail.
Three days later, on October 28, St. Louis County detectives interviewed Hardin at the jail.
According to the probable cause statement, Hardin confessed to his involvement in the August 11 incident.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office subsequently filed the five charges connected to the Jennings investigation.
Investigation Handled by Jennings Precinct
Officers assigned to the St. Louis County Police Department City of Jennings Precinct are handling the investigation.
Authorities have not provided additional details regarding the injured officer’s recovery or whether other individuals could face charges in connection with the stolen vehicle.
The case remains subject to further court proceedings.
Presumption of Innocence: All criminal charges are accusations. Hardin is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Habari Entertainment | News Our Way
More Stories
Phoenix Unveils Heat-Reducing Mural at Cave Creek Sweetwater Park
Betty Guardado Honors Dolores Huerta’s Legacy of Labor Organizing and Latina Leadership
Phoenix Candlelight Vigil to Honor Dolores Huerta at City Hall