Throughout the city, crime has increased with the onset of
spring. With the change in the weather, criminals come out of
hibernation and commit more crimes, some of which are particularly
daring. This was the case when five African-American males hijacked
a car in the front drive of Reinert Hall in broad daylight Monday
afternoon.

At approximately 3 p.m., a male and female, not affiliated with
the University, were victims of an armed carjacking. According to
the male victim, the suspects followed them in a gray Toyota Camry
for several miles, from the area of North Grand Boulevard and West
Florissant Road. He pulled his vehicle, a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville,
onto the Reinert drive to see if the Camry would follow him.

The Camry did follow them into the drive. The male victim exited
his vehicle to ask why the man was following him. As the victim
approached the car, both the driver and passenger both pulled
short-barreled chrome-plated revolvers on the victim.

At gunpoint, the female was ordered to get out of the car and
was told that the vehicle was being taken. Both victims complied
and offered no resistance. The passenger of the Camry got into the
Bonneville, and both cars sped off on South Grand Boulevard.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of
Public Safety both responded. The Bonneville is believed to have
been stolen because it was equipped with large custom 20-inch
Dayton wheels, which the SLPD has estimated being worth $3,000 to
$5,000, said Jack Titone, director of DPS.

“It is very unfortunate that they pulled into our parking lots.
We are in the process of trying to verify if they were headed to
the University to see somebody,” Titone said.

Even though no one affiliated with the University was involved
in the incident, the incident will be reported in the University’s
crime reports because it occurred on SLU property.

SLPD’s 9th district is leading the investigation of the
carjacking. At press time the detective bureau of the 9th district
could not be reached for comment. “If you are being followed, try
to pull into a police station, gas station or other well-lit, busy
area. If possible, try to flag down a cop car or call 911 on your
cell. Whatever you do, stay in your car,” Titone said.