ST. LOUIS — A woman told St. Louis police officers her assailant forced her to perform a sexual act after he robbed her at gunpoint in Dutchtown Thursday morning.
The woman described the robber who assaulted her as a man in his 30s wearing a red sweatshirt and black sweatpants. The man opened fire as he fled the scene, she told police.
Officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were sent around 10 a.m. to the 3600 block of Marceline Terrace to handle what was reported as an argument between a man and a woman. Upon arrival, however, officers found the victim, who told police what happened.
She told police, the man approached her and took out a handgun and pepper spray while announcing the robbery.
He took her purse, her necklace, and a handgun from the victim, she told police. That's when he forced her to perform the sexual act.
The victim was not physically harmed, police said.
SLMPD's Sex Crimes Unit has been assigned to this investigation.
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.
