Ex-caretaker robs former Crestwood patient of $3K in collectible pennies: Police

CRESTWOOD, Mo. – A former caretaker has been charged with robbing a past patient of $3,000 in collectible pennies.

According to the Crestwood Police Department probable cause statement, former caretaker Emona Ewharekuko (age not provided) and an accomplice, Karon Eskew (age not provided) robbed the victim on August 10 at his home off of Flamingo Drive.

Surveillance video caught Ewharekuko’s vehicle traveling toward the victim’s home one and a half hours before the burglary.

Police said Eskew and Ewharekuko later approached the victim’s home, pretended to drop off a package for the victim, and asked for his signature. When the victim opened his door, Askew knocked the victim to the floor.

According to the police, the victim was taken to the hospital for internal bleeding, fractured vertebrae, and numerous bruises.

Surveillance video from the home shows Askew holding a dark handgun and wearing a blue reflective vest, a yellow hard hat, and black gloves with bone images. Ewharekuko is seen wearing blue gloves and glasses.

Additional Ring camera surveillance video throughout the home shows the two suspects walking room to room with the gun.

Police said Askew asked the victim where his wife was, and the victim told Askew she was deceased.

Askew and Ewharekuko begin to load a large amount of collectible pennies into two backpacks, including the victim’s cell phone.

According to the probable cause statement, the collectible pennies totaled $2,993.14 in value.

Police said Ewharekuko was a former employee of a medical care company when she took care of the victim and his wife in December 2023.

Police searched Ewharekuko’s home on August 12 and recovered two black backpacks and a blue reflective vest. Inside one of the backpacks, police found the same blue and black gloves the suspects wore during the robbery.

Also inside the backpack, police recovered a large amount of collectible pennies. The police found additional collectible pennies in her home upstairs.

At the time of Ewharekuko’s arrest, police found a PayPal card in her wallet with Askew’s name printed on it. They also found the glasses Ewharekuko wore during the robbery inside her purse.

Police said facial recognition identified both Askew and Ewharekuko as the suspects. Their tattoos also helped police identify them, as seen in both of their previous arrests.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged both Askew and Ewharekuko with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, first-degree burglary, and second-degree assault.

A county judge issued a warrant for Askew’s arrest.

Ewharekuko was arrested on August 15 and is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. She is awaiting a bond reduction hearing on August 23 and a preliminary hearing on September 12.

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