ST ANN, Mo. — Police say a 23-year-old woman was kidnapped at gunpoint while pumping gas and forced to perform a sexual act. Dashcam footage showed the crash that resulted in a police pursuit and the suspect's arrest.
St. Ann Police Chief Aaron Jimenez calls it a horrible start to 2024. His officers quickly sprang into action after getting word a man forced a woman to perform oral sex and then took off in her car.
The police pursuit came to a crashing end minutes after the start of the new year.
"He hits the guardrail and bounces off over to the median. He wasn't able to get out of the car. We took him into custody,” the chief said.
He’s talking about Dawaun Grimm of St. Louis. Police said the incident happened just after midnight Monday at the Circle K in St. Ann when the victim was pumping gas.
"He points a black in color firearm at her discretely, tells her he needs a ride, ‘Get in the car’ and he's going to have her take him somewhere,” Jimenez said. Moments later … [he] makes her perform oral sex on him."
Investigators say the victim then convinced the bad guy to make a quick stop at a nearby restaurant, not knowing she was plotting her next move.
"He says, ‘Can I get your number.’ She says, ‘Yes, but I don't have anything to write with. Why don't we go down the street? You can go with me,'" the chief said explaining the victim's statement.
That's when she bolted and called 911.
When police arrived, they said Grimm took off in the victim's car. About an hour later, flock cameras track him back at Circle K, where the chief says the suspect returned to retrieve a bag that he left.
St. Ann police didn't let him get away. They pursued him as he took off, heading onto the interstate. Shortly after, the suspect crashed on Jennings Station Road.
"I hope this guy never sees the light of day," Jimenez said.
Last summer, Grimm was charged with unlawfully having a gun. He currently faces a slew of charges including robbery, kidnapping, sodomy, armed criminal action and resisting arrest, which are all felonies.
Grimm is due in court for a bond reduction hearing Monday.