FERGUSON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
A Toys 'R Us store in Ferguson was robbed at gunpoint Monday night just before closing. Police don't have a suspect in custody, but they do have a clue that could lead to the gunman who robbed a store where children shop with their parents. Customer Telly Williams says, "Robbing a toy store? That's probably someone who is desperate okay?"
But that's exactly what happened Monday night at about 9:40 right before the store on West Florissant in Ferguson closed its doors.
According to Ferguson Police Captain Dennis McBride, "A white male entered the store displayed a hand gun, a black semi-automatic weapon, and demanded money from one of the employees."
The robber left with an undisclosed amount of cash getting away in a blue 2006-2008 Ford Focus. The gunman is described as a white male. He was wearing a bandana that covered part of his face making it possible for investigators to gather a major clue.
"He had a few scars on his face that were visible. Several different scars, distinguishable scars," says McBride.
There have been several armed robberies in the St. Louis area recently. Surveillance video shows a robber wearing a bandana and pink gloves walking into a Conoco gas station in Maplewood demanding money. The Walgreens in Swansea was hit by a robber demanding painkillers. Even one of St. Louis' premiere landmarks, The Boat House in Forest Park, was robbed of cash at gunpoint.
"This is the time of year where it seems to be an increase in robberies, anytime between now and Christmas"
Given the sluggish economy some people believe crime is going to geta lot worse before police get a handle on it.
"We don't have enough law enforcement folks out here, but they can't be everywhere all the time. Even the stores have extra security for the holidays and its still not enough," says Fran Long.
Investigators believe the gunman who robbed the Toys 'R Us is responsible for several armed robberies in the St. Louis County area. If you know something about the crime, contact Ferguson police at 314-522-3100.
But that's exactly what happened Monday night at about 9:40 right before the store on West Florissant in Ferguson closed its doors.
According to Ferguson Police Captain Dennis McBride, "A white male entered the store displayed a hand gun, a black semi-automatic weapon, and demanded money from one of the employees."
The robber left with an undisclosed amount of cash getting away in a blue 2006-2008 Ford Focus. The gunman is described as a white male. He was wearing a bandana that covered part of his face making it possible for investigators to gather a major clue.
"He had a few scars on his face that were visible. Several different scars, distinguishable scars," says McBride.
There have been several armed robberies in the St. Louis area recently. Surveillance video shows a robber wearing a bandana and pink gloves walking into a Conoco gas station in Maplewood demanding money. The Walgreens in Swansea was hit by a robber demanding painkillers. Even one of St. Louis' premiere landmarks, The Boat House in Forest Park, was robbed of cash at gunpoint.
"This is the time of year where it seems to be an increase in robberies, anytime between now and Christmas"
Given the sluggish economy some people believe crime is going to geta lot worse before police get a handle on it.
"We don't have enough law enforcement folks out here, but they can't be everywhere all the time. Even the stores have extra security for the holidays and its still not enough," says Fran Long.
Investigators believe the gunman who robbed the Toys 'R Us is responsible for several armed robberies in the St. Louis County area. If you know something about the crime, contact Ferguson police at 314-522-3100.
