Man Knocks Over Gas Station Attendant While Driving Off Without Paying, Police Say

A man attempting to drive off without paying for gasoline ran over a gas station attendant at a Phillips 66 – U Gas station in Maplewood, knocking her to the ground, according to Maplewood Police.

The attendant was not seriously injured.

Derenta Street, 22, of the 1000 block of Hornsby Avenue in the Baden Neighborhood, was charged Thursday with first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.

Maplewood Police said that Street filled his tank on June 28 at the gas station at 3033 South Hanley Road. However, he did not pay for the gasoline and started to drive off, police said.

The attendant realized he was driving off without paying and attempted to open the driver’s door, which was locked. The service station had experienced numerous gas drive offs  during the past several months, police said. Street drove away, knocking her to the ground.

Street is being held in St. Louis County Justice Services Center on a $150,000 cash only bond.

He also was charged Thursday with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest in Florissant for an incident on Dec. 11, 2011.

Street also was placed on probation Jan. 17 for unlawful use of a weapon for an incident on Nov. 20.

For more crime information on Maplewood Patch, see the following articles:

• Florissant Man Charged In Brentwood First Bank Robbery
• Police: Maplewood Woman Charged in Motel Room Break-in Robbery
• Police: Man Arrested After Trying to Steal Las Palmas Safe