Crime & Safety

Police: Man Punches Girlfriend in Gas Station Restroom, Snatches Purse

Sunset Hills police said the man had the stolen purse when he was arrested, but her cell phone and money were gone.

A man forced his way into a women’s restroom at a Sunset Hills gas station Thursday, assaulted his girlfriend and stole her purse, police said.

Christopher Memhardt, 36, of the 1000 block of Sanford Avenue in the city of St. Louis, was charged Friday with second-degree domestic assault and second-degree robbery.

Sunset Hills Police said the two were arguing, and the woman got out of the car to use the restroom at the BP gas station at 4504 Lindbergh Blvd. Memhardt forced his way into the restroom and punched the woman repeatedly in the face, police said.

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Memhardt then took her purse off her shoulder and drove away, according to the report. Police said Memhardt still had the purse when he was arrested, but the woman’s cell phone and cash were missing.

Memhardt was being held Tuesday in St. Louis County jail. Bail was set at $50,000.

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If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced domestic or sexual violence, find resources through the St. Louis Ending Violence Against Women Network (SLEVAWN) or call the Safe Connections 24-hour crisis hotline at 314-531-2003.

For more crime information on Sunset Hills-Crestwood Patch, see the following articles:

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