Houseguest Welcomed Robbery Suspects into Wentzville Home

Three residents of a home in the 400 block of Wilson Street in Wentzville were robbed Monday by two suspects ushered into their home by an overnight houseguest.

Joseph S. French, 18, of Elm Court in St. Peters, had been a guest in the house overnight. The victims reported to police that French had met two additional suspects at the door and directed them to the basement, where the suspects displayed a silver pistol and demanded money.

One of the victims was "struck on the head a number of times with the butt of the gun," police said, when he refused to comply with the demands. French and the other two suspects fled the scene.

French was located by Wentzville police, arrested and charged with one count of first degree robbery and two counts of first degree attempted robbery. Bond was set at $50,000 cash.

(Information provided by the Wentzville Police Department.)