A St. Louis man on Wednesday admitted to committing 12 robberies or attempted robberies that occurred in less than a month in 2021.
James Mayes, 61, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to 10 counts of robbery, two counts of possession, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of robbery within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
Mayes confessed to committing eight armed robberies and one attempted robbery in St. Louis and three in St. Louis County between Oct. 13, 2021, and Nov. 10, 2021. His targets included four cell phone stores and three small markets or convenience stores. Mayes also robbed someone on the grounds of Gateway National Arch Park on October 13, striking his victim on the shoulder with his gun. The following day, he attempted to rob another individual in the Laclede’s Landing area. During a struggle over his gun, Mayes stabbed the victim, causing serious injuries.
In other incidents, he threatened to kill employees of the targeted businesses. He fired his .380-caliber handgun during two separate robberies.
St. Louis Robberies
- Oct. 13, 2021: Gateway National Arch Park armed street robbery.
- Oct. 14, 2021: Attempted robbery of a person in Laclede’s Landing.
- Oct. 17, 2021: Armed robbery at the T-Mobile at 4142 S. Grand.
- Oct. 20, 2021: Armed robbery at the Smoothie King at 1211 Pine.
- Oct. 23, 2021: Armed robbery at Kaiser Mart at 5008 S. Grand.
- Oct. 26, 2021: Armed robbery at Crown Food Mart at 300 S. Jefferson.
- Nov. 3, 2021: Armed robberies at Gallery Furniture/Home Accents at 310 N. Sixth Street, Boost Mobile at 1644 S. Jefferson, and Domino’s Pizza at 1428 N. 13th Street.
St. Louis County Robberies
- Oct. 25, 2021: Armed robbery at Metro PCS at 6731 Page.
- Nov. 5, 2021: Armed robbery at Vapes and Snacks at 8820 Gravois Road.
- Nov. 10, 2021: Armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless store at 1084 Highway 55.
Mayes’ final robbery occurred at a cell phone store on Highway 55 in St. Louis County. A responding police officer spotted Mayes, who matched the description of the robber. Mayes resisted arrest and bit the officer several times.
Mayes is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23. As part of the plea agreement, both sides have agreed to recommend a 20-year prison term for Mayes.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Pagedale Police Department, the FBI, and the National Park Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra Wiemken is prosecuting the case.
