ST. LOUIS — A carjacking involving a child in downtown St. Louis escalated into a high-speed police chase across state lines early Tuesday morning.
At around 6 p.m. Monday, police responded to Morrison Avenue and South 11th Street for a report of a carjacking. The 35-year-old victim told police he was inside his 2018 Toyota Camry when three people approached him.
Two of the suspects, both teens approximately 16-17 years old, pointed guns at the victim and told him to get out of the car. The victim got out and the suspects left the area with the victim’s things still inside the car. The victim was not injured during the incident.
Police officers later located the car at Broadway and Calvary Avenue and attempted to curb the car, but it drove off. Police started a pursuit until the car entered Illinois. Illinois State Police located the car a short time later and pursued it.
The suspects changed direction and drove back to Missouri where they crashed in the 1000 block of Hickory Street. Two suspects ran away and one stayed at the scene and was taken into custody.
According to a police report, a baby was inside the car during the pursuit. The baby was taken to the hospital but police have not given an update on the child's condition.
"I don’t get it, it's a lot going on," said Agelyn Davis, a neighbor of the victim. "For me to have a child and something like that happens, that hits home, can't go anywhere. Makes you want to stay in the house."
Davis said she hopes things calm down before the summer. She fears for the safety of her own children and others in the area.
"I hope it stops," Davis said. "These kids need a chance. I have an 18-year-old, he will be 19. He's graduating. I want him on the right path, do something with yourself. Get out of St. Louis"