Charles Stevenson, Armed Carjacking, Missouri 2020

ST. LOUIS – A brazen armed carjacking in downtown St. Louis turned into a high-speed chase that ended with the perpetrator crashing in Illinois. Charles Stevenson, a 20-year-old from Alorton, Illinois, has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison for the crime.

The incident occurred on Nov. 18, 2020, at around midnight. Stevenson pulled an AR-15-style pistol out of his pants and pointed it at the head of the owner of a gray 2019 Nissan Altima at the corner of Tucker Boulevard and Pine Street in downtown St. Louis. The victim, who was understandably shaken, knelt on the ground and held up his keys for Stevenson. The defendant then took the keys and fled in the stolen vehicle.

A bystander, observing the altercation, began shooting at Stevenson. However, the defendant ducked behind the Altima before returning fire. The bystander’s shots were not reported to have hit Stevenson, but it led to Stevenson attempting to flee the scene.

A St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer soon spotted the stolen car, sparking a high-speed chase that led into Illinois. Stevenson’s attempt to evade capture ended with him crashing the vehicle, bringing the ordeal to an end.

Stevenson pleaded guilty on April 12, 2022, to the charges of carjacking and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police and the FBI.

The sentence of 10 years and 6 months in prison is a severe consequence for Stevenson’s actions. The carjacking and subsequent high-speed chase put not only the victim but also innocent bystanders at risk. The involvement of law enforcement from both Missouri and Illinois ensured that justice was served in this case.

The case highlights the importance of community vigilance and the swift response of law enforcement in preventing and resolving violent crimes. It also underscores the severe consequences of committing such acts and the impact they can have on victims and the wider community.

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