ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (KMOX) — Charges have been issued against a 31-year-old St. Louis woman for allegedly robbing a West County Menards with her five children and assaulting an employee in the process the evening of Sept. 25.
Debbie Penn was issued one count of Robbery First Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Stealing – Physically Taking, and Assault Fourth Degree.
The statement of probable cause from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said Penn's children were seen with a cart full of merchandise passing the check-out counters and then loading the items into her car.
One male victim took a picture of Penn's vehicle with his phone, but according to the statement, Penn snatched the phone from his hand, scratching him in the process. A female victim stood in front of Penn's car to prevent her from leaving the parking lot and was thrown to the ground as Penn drove straight into the victim.
The female victim suffered multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed.
In a statement, the victim's husband said she remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
“We are overwhelmed with the support we have received," Joe Arthur said. "I have been comforted by the love of our family, my fellow firefighters, and complete strangers. It truly means a lot.”
Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are conducting the investigation.
Penn is being held on a cash-only $250,000 bond.