St. Louis Man Admits Committing Month-Long Robbery Spree

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis man on Wednesday admitted 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 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 admitted 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. Among his targets were 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 next day, he tried to rob someone in the Laclede's Landing area. While Mayes and his victim were struggling over his gun, he stabbed the victim, seriously injuring him.

In other robberies, he threatened to kill employees of the targeted businesses. He fired his .380-caliber handgun at two different robberies.

St. Louis Robberies

• Oct. 13, 2021: Gateway National Arch Park armed street robbery.
• Oct. 14, 2021: Attempted robbery of a person on Laclede's Landing.
• Oct. 17, 2021: Armed robbery of the T-Mobile at 4142 S. Grand.
• Oct. 20, 2021: Armed robbery of the Smoothie King at 1211 Pine.
• Oct. 23, 2021: Armed robbery of Kaiser Mart at 5008 S. Grand.
• Oct. 26, 2021: Armed robbery of Crown Food Mart at 300 S. Jefferson.
• Nov. 3, 2021: Armed robbery of Gallery Furniture/Home Accents at 310 N. Sixth Street, the Boost Mobile at 1644 S. Jefferson and Domino's Pizza at 1428 N. 13th Street.

St. Louis County Robberies

• Oct. 25, 2021: Armed robbery of the Metro PCS at 6731 Page.
• Nov. 5, 2021: Armed robbery of Vapes and Snacks at 8820 Gravois Road.
• Nov. 10, 2021: Armed robbery of the Cricket Wireless store at 1084 Lemay Ferry Road.

Mayes' final robbery occurred at a cell phone store on Lemay Ferry Road 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.