A statement from Missouri Governor-elect Eric Greitens says his wife Sheena is safe but shaken after being robbed at gunpoint Monday night not far from their St. Louis area home. Greitens says he’s grateful for law enforcement’s swift and skilled response.
Greitens family (Photo courtesy of Jill Enders of KTRS)
“I have spoken in the past about the importance of public safety. About the need to take care of the men and women of law enforcement who have our backs. About the danger too many Missourians feel walking in their neighborhoods at night, or taking their kids to school, or going to the grocery store,” says Greitens. “If tonight’s incident has done anything, it has only served to strengthen my—and our family’s—resolve. We are, now more than ever, committed to the law enforcement officials who were by Sheena’s side within minutes. We are, now more than ever, disturbed by the violence and chaos in our communities. And we are, now more than ever, focused on the mission of creating safer neighborhoods for all of our families and all of our children.”
Greitens announced in November that his family would be moving to the Governor’s mansion in Jefferson City after he’s sworn into office.
St. Louis Police Department spokesperson Schron Jackson tells Missourinet that Mrs. Greitens had just left a restaurant in the 3900 block W. Pine and was seated inside her vehicle on the parking lot looking at her cellphone when her car door was suddenly opened by a black male suspect. He pointed a gun at Greitens and demanded her property. She complied and gave the suspect her laptop and cellphone. Greitens reported that she saw several black males running from the scene.
Further police investigation revealed that another vehicle on the parking lot had been broken into. The male victim stated his cellphone had been taken from the vehicle. The victim tracked his cellphone and led officers to the 4200 block of Shreve. As the officers got behind the vehicle and attempted to stop it, the vehicle fled and was involved in an accident. Three suspects fled on foot from the scene, however, they were located and taken into custody. The suspects are ages 14, 15 and 19.
Investigation at the scene revealed the suspect vehicle had been stolen in an earlier robbery in the 3700 block of Lindell. The suspect vehicle had also been used in an attempted robbery in the 3100 block of Locust just prior to the incident on West Pine.
Property from the robberies and vehicle break-ins was recovered in the suspect vehicle. No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
The Governor-elect will hold a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss the incident. It will be held near the location of the robbery.
