A local man was the victim of a robbery in his own home in Forest Park Southeast late yesterday evening, according to authorities. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 2 confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 8:50 p.m. yesterday in the 1000 block of S. Vandeventer.

The victim, a 30-year-old man, reported that he invited an individual he had met online, described as a 27-year-old male, over to his residence. It was after the guest requested to use the bathroom that the evening took a perilous turn. According to the statement obtained by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect emerged and proceeded to hold a firearm on a victim, after which he demanded money.

Furthermore, the assailant managed to abscond with the victim's money, video game consoles, and cell phone before fleeing from the scene. This account paints a harrowing picture of the vulnerability one may face when extending hospitality to a stranger—a predicament exacerbated perhaps by the anonymity afforded through digital connections.

The investigation into the robbery is currently active and ongoing, as police work to uncover more information about the suspect. In the meanwhile, no arrests have been made, and there have been no updates regarding the recovery of the stolen items. The authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the resolution of this case. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks entailed in arranging meetings with individuals online. Such occurrences, while unfortunate, prompt the community to exercise caution and reinforce the indispensability of personal safety measures.