A South St. Louis business owner was working at her front desk around noon when a man allegedly crept up behind her, wrapped an arm around her neck and pressed a knife to her throat, demanding her fanny pack. She fought him off, and he left without taking anything from her, though not before cutting her finger in the struggle.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers responded to the 5600 block of Gravois for a holdup call, and the suspect, 51-year-old Kevin Poirrier, has now been charged with one count of first-degree attempted robbery, one count of armed criminal action and one count of stealing, according to KMOV. Per court documents, Poirrier approached the woman from behind before demanding her belongings at knifepoint.
Bystanders and Family Identified Him
Two bystanders reportedly witnessed the attempted robbery unfold, and both the business owner and Poirrier's own wife identified him afterward, the station's report states. Investigators also say surveillance video captured Poirrier entering and exiting the store around the time of the alleged attack, adding another layer of evidence tying him to the scene.
That same surveillance footage allegedly connects Poirrier to an earlier theft just days before the robbery attempt. Court documents indicate Poirrier was seen stealing a $150 ladder from the 4600 block of Delor on Sept. 18, with video reportedly capturing that theft as well, per the same account.
Not His First Brush With Theft Allegations
Poirrier's name isn't new to south St. Louis crime coverage. A 2025 report from fox2now.com described Poirrier, then 50, facing charges including three counts of stealing, two counts of burglary and property damage tied to a string of alleged backyard thefts in the area. That report said he was “repeatedly seen on video entering people's yards and taking their belongings,” including a leaf blower, weed wacker, lawnmower and gas can.
One neighbor, Duane Fly, told Fox 2 at the time that the losses had become a pattern for him personally. “For my case, it's the fifth time I've had something stolen from me,” Fly said. He added that he had installed cameras and built a shed to secure his belongings after the repeated incidents.
It remains unclear how those 2025 charges were ultimately resolved. What is clear, according to this week's charges, is that Poirrier is now accused of escalating from alleged property theft to an armed confrontation with a business owner who refused to hand over what he was after.
