urbanSTL

You can try an online scanner next time you hear something like this. The link for St Louis is http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?feedId=3106

Here is a follow up to my previous post on the robberies in my neighborhood.
This email went out to all officers yesterday. It appears that this guy has committed 4 robberies in the same hood, same 2 stores within one month. How the h*ll does that happen!!??!! I’d be packing heat if I worked at a local convenience store. Anyway, here is the email:

The District Two Bureau is investigating a series of armed business robberies, likely having been committed by the same suspect.
10-022411 04/24/10 3443 Watson Rd (Huck’s) @ 2219 hours
10-025382 05/08/10 3282 Jamieson (Phillips 66) @ 0410 hours
10-028448 05/22/10 3463 Watson Rd (Huck’s) @ 2345 hours
10-028621 05/23/10 3282 Jamieson (Phillips 66) @ 2351 hours
Attached are surveillance stills from the most recent robbery. The suspect is wearing large baggy-style dark colored shorts and has a bandage wrapped around his lower left leg. The subject always approaches and flees the businesses on foot. In each incident he wears a ski mask open across the bridge of the nose, mechanics gloves, a dark long-sleeve hooded jacket or sweatshirt, and the same shoes, two-toned hiking boots. The weapon is described as a dark-colored semi-auto pistol. Canine has tracked to the areas of 32XX Ivanhoe and 66XX Hancock in the most recent incidents. These areas are basically half-way points between the two businesses. Officers patrolling this area are asked to be mindful of any subject wearing a bandage on his lower left leg or who may have a tattoo in that location. Anyone with further information is asked to contact a District Two detective.

DOGTOWNB&R wrote:I am shocked that the local news stations have not picked up this story. I guess when he hits a third or a fourth convenient store or gas station, it will become newsworthy.

There are two possibilities. First, there's the "if it bleeds, it leads" adage. Someone may have to get hurt before this these crimes get the media's attention. Second, maybe the criminal is Caucasian, because racial profiling isn't just for certain individuals or police departments, there is evidence that shows media outlets do it as well. (Sorry if that's excessively cynical, but I can't help but to have a cynical view of the media these days.)

^There were pics of the perp attached, but for some reason, I can't get them in the right format. They are pics from the surveillance video. He must have a giant tattoo on his leg because it is covered with an ace bandage. Why not wear pants dumbazz?!!
If I can get them in the correct format, I will put them up.
Regarding the race thing, I thing their could be 'some' truth to that, but if they got wind of the story, it would be newsworthy. It will likely take someone getting hurt, for them to report it though. I am just amazed that this guy could pull off 4 heists at the same stores. They need a security officer like the 7-11 on Southwest & Watson. I doubt Hucks makes enough to support one, but Phillips 66 does.

Alex Ihnen wrote:To be very honest, I'm glad that the news doesn't lead with robberies and other crimes every night. While these things are a huge problem, there's a lot more happening in St. Louis than crimes. Of course I don't particularly like what the news does lead with some times, I'd rather hear about things that affect the region, events, etc. Does crime affect all of us? Yes. Have I had personal experience with crime and should I be afraid to visit my local gas station or convenience store? Absolutely not.

I agree with you. The sad thing is, when the local news doesn't lead off with stories about crime, it's usually something unbelievably silly like Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols having a spat over the Cardinals' recent "slump". Local media outlets have just started doing a better job of covering positive local developments in the last few years. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of coverage that the St. Louis Centre skybridge demolition generated, for example.

So, lest I seem too cynical about the media, it's encouraging to see them catching on to the positive things that are happening in our community, and I'd like to believe that the countless blogs and forums dedicated to the city's renaissance are leading the way to some extent.

^The news does not have to lead off with the story, but it is important to get the word out there. If not, these thugs can stay below the radar and go much more unnoticed. Maybe somebody saw something, has a tip, recognizes the thug, whatever. TV helps catch criminals and that is why I think it is important to report the news, negative or not. Should there be MUCH more positive news mixed in, for sure! I agree with you. But not reporting what is happening and making people aware of what is happening does not help get these thugs off of the street. The police can't do it all on their own. The public needs to participate and TV is a good way to get the word out. I know as well as anyone, that bad press is awful in shaping perceptions of the City, but I'd rather know than be ignorant to my surroundings.

Alex Ihnen wrote:To be very honest, I'm glad that the news doesn't lead with robberies and other crimes every night. While these things are a huge problem, there's a lot more happening in St. Louis than crimes. Of course I don't particularly like what the news does lead with some times, I'd rather hear about things that affect the region, events, etc. Does crime affect all of us? Yes. Have I had personal experience with crime and should I be afraid to visit my local gas station or convenience store? Absolutely not.

I think a much larger issue is a (maybe) 12-minute local TV news hole that gets 1/4 filled with stories about Wynonna and the fact that "Law and Order" is ending. I can't say that print is totally immune to that syndrome, but I don't think it's deteriorated as far as fast.

KSDk covered the robberies Last night.

Link

Wow....several days later someone finally picked up the story about a serial robber...

They probably saw the story on Urbanstl and decided to investigate with the SLPD...

Sorry to report that a police officer was shot at/near Grand and Natural Bridge this morning.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument

^Terrible news...Let's hope he is okay!

Alex Ihnen wrote:Looks like three of the four suspects are in custody.

and it looks as though perception has once again reared its ugly head. clean up the crime and watch the population skyrocket.

I'm so glad the officer is out of surgery doing well; what an absolutely heinous crime.

^ That thug should just give up or he is as good as dead. When you attempt to kill or hurt a cop, they will use any means necessary to get you, excessive force or not, you are going down. He might as well give up. Glad they have the thug cornered! Good job SLPD!

This is what more St. Louis people need to do as a community:

Check out the pick attached to this article.....Think that is how it went down?

http://dailycaller.com/2010/06/01/man-c ... arjacking/

Just heard a fantastic piece on NPR about how crime is dropping across the board but people's perceptions of crime are going in the opposite direction.

You should be able to find the archived discussion on their website. I would encourage everyone to check it out. It's literally everything that STL Today comments on crime are not--thoughtful, reasoned, balanced and tolerant