Mercedes W. Gregory, Robbery, Missouri 2022

A brazen daytime robbery at a Kohl’s store in Manchester, Missouri, has landed a 34-year-old St. Louis woman in prison for 130 months.

Mercedes W. Gregory, 34, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in February to one count of robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The crime occurred on July 12, 2021, when Gregory entered the Kohl’s store and placed multiple items of clothing in a cart before walking out just before 1:30 p.m. A loss prevention officer followed her until Gregory made a threatening statement, prompting the officer to call for backup.

Gregory drove away in a white Chevrolet, but the car was spotted later that night at a gas station in St. Louis by officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Gregory attempted to flee but was caught and found to be in possession of a Taurus handgun in her satchel. The stolen merchandise was recovered from the trunk of the car.

This is not Gregory’s first run-in with the law. She has two prior robbery convictions, including a 2008 case in St. Louis County and a 2013 case in St. Louis. Her parole in the 2013 case ended just 11 days before the Kohl’s robbery.

The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department, the FBI, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen is prosecuting the case.

Gregory’s sentence reflects the severity of her crimes and the threat she posed to the public. The 130-month prison sentence should serve as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar behavior.

Defendant: Mercedes W. Gregory

Criminal Charges: Robbery (18 U.S.C. § 2111), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1))

City and State: St. Louis, Missouri

Date: February 2022 (sentencing), July 12, 2021 (crime date)

Sentence: 130 months in prison

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