ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A woman has been charged in connection to a robbery and assault that happened at a West County store.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on 31-year-old Debbie Penn for one count of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, stealing and fourth-degree assault.
Police responded to Menards at 14161 Manchester Road for an armed robbery on Sept. 25. When officers arrived, they found a 49-year-old woman with a head wound. She was transported to a hospital for life-saving treatment.
According to the probable cause statement, Penn’s children were seen exiting Menards with a cart full of merchandise and then loading them into her car. She was approached by a woman and man as she got into her car. The man took a picture of her car and she snatched his phone away. The woman, who is an employee at Menards, stood in front of her car to prevent her from leaving. Penn drove straight into the woman. The woman landed on top of Penn’s car as she drove away at a high rate of speed and landed on the ground, causing her to hit her head. The woman suffered multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed.
Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are conducting the investigation.
Penn is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.
Joe Arthur, who is the husband of the woman who was hit works for Metro West Fire Protection District. The Metro West Fire Protection District sent out a press released after charges were announced.
'Joe Arthur, husband of Michelle Arthur who was involved in Wednesday’s incident at the Manchester Menards, would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the St. Louis County Police Department for their tireless efforts in this matter,' The press release said.
Michelle continues to be in critical condition and is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
“We are overwhelmed with the support we have received,” stated Joe Arthur. “I have been comforted by the love of our family, my fellow firefighters, and complete strangers. It truly means a lot.”
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