Robbery Suspect Arrested, Caught on Police Dash Cam

said Demetrie Javon Thomas, 17, of the 14300 block of Willowbend Park in Town and Country is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $4,000 cash only bond. 

The arrest is in connection to a May 16 incident where police were called to the 14200 block of Willowbend Park just after 11:30 p.m. for a disturbance. Police said a resident called 911 and told police that a male was assaulting a screaming female.

Town and Country police Corporal Chris Moore arrived to find a male and a female on the sidewalk. Police stated that at the sight of the patrol car, the female began to wave her arms and the male immediately ran south across two parking lots. (A photo of the incident was provided by the Town and Country Police Department and is in the photo section of this article. Check back later today for actual dash cam video.)

Police Captain Gary Hoelzer tells Patch that Thomas and the woman did not know eachother, but do live in the same neighborhood. Hoelzer the two were both walking home to separate residences from separate locations when the alleged attempted robbery took place.

"He sees her and assumes that she would be an easy target to rob, so he comes up behind her and smacks her on the buttocks which alarms her," Hoelzer explained. "She turns around and confronts him and that's when he throws her on the ground, tells her he has a gun and he wants her cell phone and money. Then she starts screaming and a neighbor hears her and calls police."

Hoelzer said it was just less than one minute from the time police dispatched the call to the time the officer arrived on the scene. 

"Which is how we get some of the incident on dash cam," Hoelzer explained.

Police could not locate the male caught in the police dash cam video Wednesday night, but Captain Gary Hoezler said detectives were able to identify Thomas as the suspect Thursday and arrested him.  

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"He told us he wanted to rob her," Hoelzer tells Patch. However, the motive for the alleged robbery is still unclear. 

"He will be charged as an adult. When you turn 17, that's the age."

Hoelzer said Thomas is charged with assault, peace disturbance, attempted stealing and harassment. The case will also be presented to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office next week for consideration of felony charges.

Check back later to Town and Country - Manchester Patch to see the dash-cam video.