ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — It was an uneventful Tuesday at the Walgreens near Chambers and Halls Ferry roads in north St. Louis County. 5 On Your Side saw customers coming and going inside the store as usual.
However, on Easter Sunday, it was anything but that.
"It's scary," customer Steve Edwards said.
Edwards couldn't get inside the store because it was a crime scene.
"All the police vehicles that were out here, and it was just a shocker because I'm wondering, 'What in the heck could have happened at a Walgreens?'" Edwards said.
Employees told police that shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, Joseph Williams Jr. shattered the front glass door and forced his way inside the closed store.
Police said Williams threatened two workers, stole cash from a register and threw one of the employees to the ground.
"I don't understand why he would choose this Walgreens to even try to do something like that," long-time customer Veronica Larkin said.
Investigators said Williams also grabbed a female employee, placed her into a chokehold, dragged her to the utility room in the back of the store and threatened to kill her with a cord.
Police said a witness tried to talk Williams down, but he kept threatening to kill the victims if anyone got closer.
Officers finally arrested him.
"A lot of stuff happens over here, but to that extent, no," Larkin said.
5 On Your Side reached out to Walgreens to see if the company had any reaction to the crimes police said happened at the store.
In a statement, Walgreens corporate spokesperson Samantha Stansberry said, "The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our priority. We are working with the police department and inquiries regarding the investigation need to be directed to them."
"I'm happy to hear those workers survived," Larkin said. "I see them almost every day, but you know, that still has some type of mental toll on them."
Prosecutors charged 44-year-old Williams with robbery, kidnapping, burglary and armed criminal action in connection with the incident. He remained in jail as of Tuesday.
"It certainly sounds like he needs some help. There's something wrong," Edwards said.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.