RIVERVIEW: Police arrest blast survivor for marijuana possession
Suspect is free on $10,000 bond

By Scott Bandle
Friday, June 27, 2008 9:50 AM CDT

The Riverview resident who survived the blast that destroyed his house on June 18 was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony possession of marijuana.

Police found four bags of marijuana in the wreckage of the house in the 9900 block of Valley Drive. The amount was large enough to warrant felony charges, Riverview Police Chief Jeff Dominguez said.

Police arrested Thomas Vierck, 57, on Tuesday. Vierck posted $10,000 bond and was released, Dominguez said.

His arrest had nothing to do with the explosion, the chief said. The St. Louis County Bomb and Arson squad still is investigating the cause of the blast.