School Bus Driver Accused of Pre-Route Theft of Champagne

A suburban St. Louis school bus driver is accused of stealing champagne from a store before going on her route, and possessing marijuana after she was caught.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports 33-year-old Crystal Taylor of Pagedale is charged in St. John Municipal Court with theft and drug possession.

Authorities say Taylor was about to drive her afternoon route for the Ritenour schools on Dec. 9 when she stopped at a grocery store and stole a bottle of champagne. A security guard flagged down a St. John officer, who confronted Taylor on the school bus at Ritenour High School in north St. Louis County.

Police say the officer saw the $9.99 bottle of champagne sticking out of her purse, and later found marijuana in a baggie in the purse.