ST. LOUIS — The last of the four people involved in the deadly armed robbery of a taxi driver in April 2022 was sentenced to federal prison Monday.
Tywon Harris, now 21, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting to his role in the robbery that left 54-year-old Dewight Price dead. In court Monday, prosecutors said Harris “took the lead in planning” the robbery.
Trishawn Jones and Harris pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting in the commission of a murder, while Coron Dees and Jeremiah Allen pleaded guilty to a robbery charge. All were teenagers at the time of the robbery.
Prosecutors said Jones was the one who pulled the trigger.
According to court documents, the four teens left a party in downtown St. Louis and called a cab at about 5:30 a.m. at the Shell gas station on North Tucker Boulevard. The group used a fake name and planned to run away without paying when they were dropped off at their destination. However, when they learned they would have to prepay for their ride, they came up with a plan to pay and then rob the driver.
The group rerouted Price to Hazelwood Central High School, thinking there would be no witnesses. When they arrived, Dees and Jones pulled out their guns and demanded money. Price handed cash to Jones while begging them not to shoot. Price then grabbed a gun he kept in his door and began getting out of the cab.
Allen warned the others that Price had a gun. Harris, who was in the backseat, opened his door and knocked Price to the ground. Jones saw Price's gun and shot him once in the torso.
All four ran off and left Price to die.
Dees is serving a 17-year prison sentence. Jones was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Allen was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
