April 4, 2023 The St. Louis firefighter was observed pocketing the wallet and using a card at stores.
Source Firehouse.com News
A St. Louis firefighter is suspected of using credit cards of a victim in a crash that killed four people.
Police used body cam footage as well as other video from the Feb. 25 wreck to identify the firefighter, according to KSDK.
Seven Robinson told reporters he handed the firefighter his wallet when he asked for his identification. In addition to credit cards, he said he had $674 cash and $200 in gift cards as he had just celebrated his 18th birthday.
Four of Robinson’s friends, including girlfriend, were killed in the wreck.
Detectives went to the firehouse on March 12 and two battalion chiefs identified the firefighter.
Two days later, the firefighter told officers he informed a supervisor he may have accidentally used the victim’s credit card. The captain told him not to do anything and he would run it up the chain of command.
Robinson, who also saw the body cam footage, said: “That was crazy to me because it’s like you don’t really hear about firefighters doing stuff like that. It was pretty interesting to see because it was like you could literally see him look in the wallet and kind of like close it and put it to the side of his jacket.”
His mother told police her son’s card was used three times at three different stores the day after the wreck.
He also told told police he “accidentally” used the victim’s card.
St. Louis Fire Capt. Leon Whitener said Friday, “The police conducted an investigation and there was no wrongdoing that was found and the firefighter is back to work.”
But, that’s not correct. Police told a reporter Monday the investigation is continuing.
“As it relates to that crash at Forest Park and South Grand, we have opened an investigation into an alleged theft that occurred from that scene and a person of interest has been developed…” Sgt. Charles Wall.
“Investigators are still working to gather additional evidence and once their investigation is complete, they anticipate presenting the case to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney for any charges.”
Sources familiar with the case said detectives told the firefighter after their interview with him they would be applying for charges for stealing, and three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.