Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis man has admitted to robbing two businesses in St. Louis County, Missouri, at gunpoint last year. Stanley E. Alford, 58, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges of robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Alford confessed to the robberies that took place on January 24, 2024, at a store on Gravois Bluffs Boulevard in Fenton and two days later at a pawnshop located on Gravois Road in St. Louis County.

In the first incident, Alford initially asked for change from a cashier but left when she could not open the register. He returned shortly after to return an item he had just purchased and seized the opportunity when the register was opened by drawing a handgun and demanding cash.

At the pawnshop, after browsing jewelry items, Alford pulled out a gun causing an employee to flee for safety while he jumped over the counter and stole rings worth significant value.

Surveillance footage captured Alford committing both crimes and fleeing in his vehicle registered under his name. Police found stolen rings along with distinctive clothing linking him to these incidents.

Sentencing is set for October 14; Alford faces up to 20 years for robbery charges while brandishing charges carry an additional mandatory seven-year sentence consecutive to any other charge totaling at least 14 years imprisonment.

The case involved collaboration between St. Louis County Police Department and FBI investigators with Assistant U.S Attorney Zachary Bluestone prosecuting it under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through strategic enforcement priorities fostering community trust supporting prevention programs ensuring safer neighborhoods nationwide as outlined by recent Department strategies initiated back May 26th onwards focusing such efforts accordingly moving forward continuously enhancing related aspects effectively overall.