A St. Louis man is facing charges in connection with an alleged robbery at Gateway Arch National Park. Thomas Durgins, 19, is accused of robbing an individual at gunpoint at the site on February 1. An indictment issued by the U.S. District Court in St. Louis charges him with robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to court documents, the incident began as an online arrangement to purchase shoes but escalated when Durgins allegedly produced a firearm and robbed the seller. He was arrested last Wednesday and pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Thursday. Prosecutors have filed a motion seeking his continued detention pending trial, citing the alleged use of a firearm during the incident.
An indictment is a formal accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski, and the initial investigation was conducted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
