St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Four Armed Robberies

St. Louis, MO –Carlos Robinson, 28, of St. Louis, MO, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence arising out of four separate armed store robberies committed in early 2017.  Robinson appeared today before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey, who accepted his plea and set a sentencing date of December 3, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, on February 6, 2017, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Robinson entered the Conoco Gas Station located at 3600 Big Bend Boulevard in St. Louis County.  He pulled a bandana over his mouth and pointed a silver firearm at the clerk.  Robinson instructed the clerk to open the cash register and demanded money before exiting the service station.

On February 10, 2017, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Robinson entered the Mobil on the Run gas station located at 9371 Olive Boulevard, also in St. Louis County.  He pointed a small silver firearm at the clerk, told her to open the cash register drawer and give him the money. 

On February 13, 2017, at approximately 1:39 p.m., Robinson entered the BP gas station located at 7003 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis City.  He entered the store wearing sunglasses and asked to use the bathroom key, which the cashier provided.  Robinson returned the key, walked inside the Plexiglas partition and revealed a firearm to the cashier, demanding money.  The cashier was able to physically push Robison out of the secure cashier area, close the door, and push the alarm. 

On February 15, 2017, at approximately 7:01 p.m., Robinson entered the Family Dollar located at 4344 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, also in St. Louis City.  He approached the register and asked for a pack of Newport cigarettes.  Robinson displayed a firearm, demanded money, and threatened to hurt the cashier if she did not comply. 

The robbery charges carry a penalty of not more than 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000 on each count.  The firearm charges carry a penalty of not less than seven years nor more than life and/or fine of $250,000 on each count consecutive to any other sentence imposed.   In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maplewood Police Department, the Olivette Police Department, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.