ST. LOUIS — It was a terrifying situation for two women who were almost robbed in downtown St. Louis Sunday evening. It happened on Chestnut near 7th Street when a man demanded their purses.
Jerrica Williams, 27, said she and her friend were walking up Chestnut when they saw a man walk in front of them who they thought was another pedestrian, but instead he tried to rob them.
"It was very scary, you know. He said 'Hey ladies I’m not trying to cause a scene but I need both of you to drop your purses right now,'" Williams said.
That’s when they thought quickly on their feet to make a break for it.
“My initial reaction was to run. My friend ran one way, I ran another and that’s when he started chasing me,” Williams said.
And one of the scariest moments was when he yelled out that he had a gun.
"He said 'I don't want to have to shoot you guys, don't run,' but we already were running," Williams said.
What’s even more terrifying is there was no one around to help.
There is a discrete way to contact police by using your cell phone if you have an iPhone. You can click the power button five times, which lets them know your location and lets them know there is an emergency. It's something Williams wishes she would have known.
"I’m just glad we got away. It’s just sad because this man is still on the loose and you know whoever he is looking for or whatever trouble he's looking to get in he’s going to get in," Williams said.
Now she is encouraging everyone to stay aware of their surroundings.
