St. Louis City Man Pleads Guilty to Three Armed Robberies

St. Louis, MO –Lonzo Patrick, 54, of St. Louis City, MO, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with three separate armed store robberies committed in October 2017.  Patrick appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry Ronnie L. White, who accepted his plea and set a sentencing date of January 8, 2020.

According to the plea agreement, on October 21, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Patrick entered the O’Reilly Auto Parts located at 1140 North Kingshighway in St. Louis City.  After inquiring about purchasing items, Patrick pointed a firearm at the clerk and instructed the clerk to open the cash register.  Patrick took money from the register drawer.

On October 25, 2017, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Patrick entered the Phillips 66 store located at 4251 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis City.  He approached the cashier in order to purchase an item but, instead, reached over the counter to remove money from the cash register drawer.  When the cashier attempted to close the register drawer, Patrick pulled a firearm and pointed it at the cashier.  Patrick then took money from the register drawer.

On October 30, 2017, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Patrick entered the Walgreens store located at 2933 South Kingshighway in St. Louis City.  He approached the counter to buy a sucker.  During the transaction, Patrick pulled a firearm and pointed it at the clerk.  The clerk ran from behind the counter, and Patrick took the money from the cash register.

Each robbery charge carries a penalty of not more than 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.  Each firearm charge carries a penalty of not less than seven years nor more than life and/or fine of $250,000 consecutive to any other sentence imposed.   In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney John Bird is handling the case.