St. Louis Man admits committing month-long robbery spree

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man 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 earlier this month 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 Oct. 13, 2021, 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 and seriously injured him.

In other robberies, he threatened to kill employees of the targeted businesses.

He fired his .380-caliber handgun at two different robberies.