ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A routine trip to the gas station turned into a terrifying ordeal for one local resident visiting QuikTrip on Lilac Avenue near  I-270.

Around 4:30pm Sunday, a robbery took place, leaving the victim Ebony Hartfield shaken.

“I lock my car behind me. I’m at the pump, engaging with the pump. Trying to put the gas in the gas can then all of a sudden, I hear this ‘BOOM’ behind my head,” said Hartfield. “It’s really, really loud. And I thought somebody hit my car. I really did. So, I stood up to see what it was. And I’m literally looking the man in the face through a broken window. And I’m like, ‘What’s going on?'”

Hartfield stated the man sped off in a black sedan before Bellefontaine Neighbors police responded to the scene.

The victim was left with a broken window and stolen purse, which was later recovered by Riverview police after the suspects allegedly threw her purse on the side of the road.  A female police officer told her what happened.

“Where did you find that? And she was like ‘Oh, it was on Lilac. I found it on the ground and there were like kids going through it.’ I was like, ‘What? I literally just got robbed,” said Hartfield.

This incident is part of a disturbing trend. Local residents have reported multiple car break-ins and even carjackings near Lilac and I-270 in recent weeks. One customer shared that his wife was carjacked there just days ago.

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FOX 2 spoke with Bellefontaine Police off camera, and they told us the police report is still in progress. Police stated, due to policy, they cannot chase suspects unless it’s a violent offense. Police are waiting to review the footage from QuikTrip and they stated they have recently arrested 15 individuals involved in similar crimes.

“You know when people do things like this, when they violate you like this and victimize you like this, you know it leaves trauma that you have do work to heal and recover from,” said Hartfield. “I am not comfortable being here. I was scared to come here, and I’m scared to be here right now.”

Police are urging residents to remain vigilant and not to leave valuables or firearms in their vehicles. They also advise to lock your car doors every time you exit the vehicle.

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