An emotional Governor-elect Eric Greitens says the robbery of his wife at gunpoint Monday night has strengthened his belief that Missouri must do different. He says law and order must prevail.
Missouri Governor-elect Eric Greitans listens as wife Sheena tells reporters of her expirence of being held up by gunpoint during a press conference in St. Louis on December 6, 2016. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
“As a husband, my first thought was for Sheena’s safety. My second thought was for justice. I’m glad that the men and women of law enforcement found these young men before I did. These young men victimized man people last night,” says Greitens.
Greitens says he and his wife will forgive the three teens arrested in connection with the crime.
“We want those young men to know that today. We want their families to know that today. We plan to sit down. I plan to sit down with their mothers and their families to discuss what we can do together to make sure that every family and every community in the state of Missouri knows that they can go home at night and look at their kids and know that they’ll be safe,” says Greitens.
Sheena Greitens was in her car near a St. Louis area restaurant when a man pointed a gun at her and demanded her belongings. She was not injured in the robbery.
Further police investigation revealed that another vehicle nearby had been broken into. The male victim stated that his cellphone had been taken from the vehicle. He helped police find the suspects by tracking his cellphone.
Sheena Greitens says she’s thankful to law enforcement for their help.
“What happened to me and to our family last night happens to far too many people and far too many families across this city and this state and that cannot continue,” says Greitens.
Three suspects, ages 14, 15 and 19, have been arrested in connection with the robbery. Greitens’ laptop and cellphone were taken but were recovered when police found the suspects.
Captain John Hotz tells Missourinet Sheena Greitens did not have security detail assigned to her when the attack happened, but does now have security assigned to her as of Tuesday. By statute, the Governor-elect is assigned security detail on general election night. Any other family members are assigned security at the will of the Highway Patrol Superintendent.
