58-Year-Old James Mayes Hit with Federal Armed Robbery Charges

ST. LOUIS – A gritty charge sheet laid bare by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri paints a picture of terror, as 58-year-old James Mayes faces federal charges for an armed robbery spree that hit both Gateway National Arch Park and several commercial establishments in St. Louis City and County.

The December 1, 2021 filing detailed a string of violent crimes, including the armed street robbery at Gateway National Arch Park on October 13, 2021, followed by targeted holdups across the city and county. Mayes is accused not only of committing these robberies but also of brandishing and discharging firearms in their perpetration.

According to authorities, Mayes was no stranger to violence, as he had been previously convicted of a crime that carried a prison term exceeding one year—and yet he continued to possess firearms. The incidents listed below paint a grim picture of the danger posed by this suspect:

• October 13, 2021: Gateway National Arch Park armed street robbery at 115 Washington Avenue
• October 14, 2021: Attempted robbery of a person on Laclede’s Landing
• October 17, 2021: Armed robbery of the T-Mobile at 4142 S. Grand
• October 20, 2021: Armed robbery of the Smoothie King at 1211 Pine
• October 23, 2021: Armed robbery of the Kaiser Mart at 5008 S. Grand
• October 26, 2021: Armed robbery of the Crown Food Mart at 300 S. Jefferson
• November 3, 2021: Armed robbery of the Gallery Furniture/Home Accents at 310 N. Sixth St.
• November 3, 2021: Armed robbery of the Boost Mobile at 1644 S. Jefferson
• November 3, 2021: Armed robbery of the Domino’s Pizza at 1428 N. 13th

In St. Louis County, Mayes’ spree continued with further armed robberies:

• October 25, 2021: Armed robbery of the Metro PCS at 6731 Page
• November 5, 2021: Armed robbery of the Vapes and Snacks at 8820 Gravois Rd.
• November 10, 2021: Armed robbery of the Cricket Wireless at 1084 Lemay Ferry Rd.

As charges stand, they are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, Pagedale Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Park Service all played a role in this investigation.

Fans of gritty crime journalism can find additional information at http://www.justice.gov/edmo, and follow @USAO_EDMO for real-time updates on federal criminal cases in the Eastern District of Missouri.