Missouri Man Robbed Woman at Gunpoint After Following Her Across State Border

Ronnell L. Williams, 36, from St. Louis, Missouri, is accused of robbing a woman after watching her win $3,200 at DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois, and then following her and threatening her at gunpoint. Williams is Accused of Robbing the Casino Winner After Stalking Her According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the robbery occurred Tuesday, October 6, at the intersection of North 10th and Madison streets in the Near North Riverfront neighborhood in St. Louis. Police said the victim, who has remained unnamed, had won more than $3,200 playing slot machines at the casino. However, unknown to her, Williams had been watching her play and noticed her substantial winnings. Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Williams watching the woman as she played the slot machines and won money, following her around the casino, and leaving in a maroon vehicle shortly after she left. The woman was driving home across the Eads Bridge into St. Louis when Williams allegedly pulled up beside her and motioned for her to lower her window, claiming that her car’s muffler was dragging. However, the woman continued driving, and Williams followed her and swerved into her lane, forcing her off the road in the Near North Riverfront neighborhood. When she stopped and confronted him, Williams allegedly pulled out a gun and demanded the money she had won at the casino. The woman later provided authorities with a description of the suspect’s vehicle and identified Williams in casino surveillance footage. The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Williams with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, and a warrant for his arrest was issued on October 10. A Similar Robbery Happened Years Ago Unfortunately, it seems this case repeats history, as in 2009, the same casino was embroiled in another robbery after two men also stalked blackjack player Mark Myers, who had won thousands, only to later rob him when he left the venue. Тwo men followed him from the same casino across the state line into Missouri before assaulting and robbing him outside his home. Myers later sued the casino, claiming it had failed to protect him despite surveillance footage allegedly showing the men tracking his movements. In a 2012 ruling, a federal appeals court noted that Casino Queen had previously been aware of three other “follow-home” robberies. The decision also outlined security measures available to big winners, including private cash counts, security escorts, and vehicles that could follow patrons as they left the casino. The case was sent back to Missouri state court in 2013, but its outcome remains unclear, with the possibility there was an out-of-court settlement. Unfortunately, other DraftKings at Casino Queen venues have seen things end worse. Last year, a judge sentenced one man to 49 years, as he was found responsible for a deadly shooting at the Casino Queen in Illinois that happened in 2017.