Show-Me State Times

An Illinois man, identified as Payton Robert Yates, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the armed robbery of a 7-Eleven store in St. Louis, Missouri. The incident took place on June 30, 2023, at the 7-Eleven located at 5350 Chippewa Street. Yates, aged 23, admitted to the crime in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Thursday.

During the robbery, Yates approached the cash register, placed a bag of Hot Fries on the counter, and then brandished a handgun. He demanded the cashier to "Empty the register" before fleeing the scene with $134.77 and the bag of Hot Fries.

Following the robbery, Yates made his getaway in a blue Toyota Tundra, which had been reported stolen by his father a few days prior. The stolen vehicle contained a handgun, which Yates later pawned two days after the incident.

Yates, a resident of Carterville in Williamson County, Illinois, is set to be sentenced on June 4. Both the prosecution and defense are recommending a nine-year prison term for the admitted robber. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Torrie Schneider handling the prosecution.