Crystal City Police are seeking charges against a 54-year-old Festus woman who allegedly entered the BP convenience store, 801 N. Truman Blvd. wielding a machete and threatening a clerk with it. The incident happened about 5:40 a.m. today (May 15), Chief Chad Helms said in a written statement.
The woman allegedly entered the store holding a large machete over her head and started shouting that she was looking for a lady from Mississippi. Then, the suspect threatened the clerk – a 66-year-old Pevely man – “while continuing to display the machete and knocking over merchandise inside the store,” Helms said.
A customer – a 37-year-old Festus man – who was outside the store saw the ruckus inside and was able to distract the suspect by banging on the glass. Then, the customer went inside the store to help, Helms said.
“The suspect then laid down the machete and continued to make verbal threats toward the clerk, while also throwing a beer bottle at the customer,” Helms reported.
He said the customer grabbed the machete while the clerk wrestled the suspect to the ground.
“During the struggle with the clerk, the suspect pulled a knife from her pocket,” Helms said. “The clerk was able to hold the suspect’s arm down, and the customer took the knife from the suspect.”
“Our officers arrived within approximately three minutes and were able to safely take the suspect into custody without further incident,” Helms reported.
When the woman was taken into custody, she allegedly was found with three knives – the one she took out of her pocket, as well as a knife in another pocket and a small one on her key chain, Helms said.
The suspect was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in south St. Louis County for psychological evaluation, and police are applying for arrest warrants, Helms said.
“This incident is still under investigation, but we will be seeking criminal charges pertaining to: assault, armed criminal action, and property damage,” Helms reported.