ST. LOUIS — Charges were issued Monday against a man who police said crashed into a building in Midtown in a car he stole at gunpoint earlier that morning.
St. Louis prosecutors charged 25-year-old Dejuan Allen with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and resisting arrest.
Police said officers responded to a call that a "hold-up just occurred," just before 10 a.m. Monday in the 3000 block of Locust Street.
According to a preliminary investigation, the victim, a 55-year-old man, told police he was parked in his Toyota Rav4 on the side of a building on Locust when Allen walked up to him with a gun. Allen demanded his car keys and cell phone.
The victim complied and Allen got into his car and drove off, police said.
Police later found the car in the 800 block of Carr Street and saw Allen trying to get inside the car. They told him to stop but Allen got inside the stolen car and drove off again.
A pursuit ensued and the car eventually crashed into a building in the 3100 block of North 11th Street. Allen got out of the stolen car and ran away.
He was arrested shortly after. Police transported him to an area hospital for a “fit for confinement" evaluation.
No civilians or officers were injured.
The investigation is ongoing.
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.
Cure Violence is an international organization that is present in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods.
