ST. LOUIS – One man is in custody for participating in a home invasion last week in north St. Louis.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s probable cause statement, the home invasion occurred on July 30 in the 8800 block of North Broadway in the Baden neighborhood.
According to the police, one victim was struck from behind as he was entering his home and knocked down. Four people—some of whom were wearing masks—forced the victim inside. The suspects stole the victim’s phone, cash, and car keys. The victim was forced into the bathroom and made to lay in his bathtub while the suspects asked him where they could find more money in the residence.
A woman was also inside the home during the robbery. One of the intruders shoved her to the ground and asked her about money in the residence. The suspects stole her house keys and cash before fleeing.
Police spoke with a neighbor who had surveillance footage of the intrusion. The video shows an intruder without a mask walking away from the victim’s home. Police said they recognized that individual as Ken`Vonte R. Bownes from prior encounters.
Police said Bownes lives in close proximity to the victims and additional surveillance footage showed Bownes walking toward his home shortly after the robbery. Bownes was carrying a large rifle at the time.
When questioned, police said Bownes told investigators he gave the rifle to his brother, who had left the area.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Bownes with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action. Bownes remains jailed without bond. He’s due in court for a detention hearing on August 8.
