St. Louis man pleads guilty to month-long robbery spree

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday and admitted to committing a dozen robberies or attempted robberies in the fall of 2021.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said James Mayes, 61, confessed in court to eight armed robberies and an attempted robbery in St. Louis City and three armed robberies in St. Louis County.

The robberies took place on the following dates and locations:

  • Oct. 13, 2021: Gateway National Arch Park (street robbery)

  • Oct.14, 2021: Laclede’s Landing (street robbery)

  • Oct. 17, 2021: T-Mobile at 4142 S. Grand

  • Oct. 20, 2021: Smoothie King at 1211 Pine

  • Oct. 23, 2021: Kaiser Mart at 5008 S. Grand

  • Oct. 25, 2021: Metro PCS at 6731 Page

  • Oct. 26, 2021: Crown Food Mart at 300 S. Jefferson

  • Nov. 3, 2021: Gallery Furniture/Home Accents at 310 N. Sixth St.

  • Nov. 3, 2021: Boost Mobile at 1644 S. Jefferson

  • Nov. 3, 2021: Domino’s Pizza at 1428 N. 13th

  • Nov. 5, 2021: Vapes and Snacks at 8820 Gravois Rd

  • Nov. 10, 2021: Cricket Wireless at 1084 Lemay Ferry Rd.

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Prosecutors said Mayes fired his gun, a .380-caliber handgun, during two of the robberies. He also stabbed one victim during the attempted robbery at Laclede’s Landing.

Mayes pleaded guilty to 10 counts of robbery, two counts of possession, brandishing, and discharge of 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 will be sentenced on July 23. The prosecution and Mayes’ attorneys have agreed to recommend a 20-year sentence.

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