On Friday, October 4, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect:
Ernest Johnson, 26 years of age, for;
Robbery First Degree, two counts Armed Criminal Action, and one count Vehicle Hijacking – Serious Physical Injury/Deadly Weapon/Dangerous Instrument/Vulnerable Person.
On June 21, 2024, a victim arranged to meet with who he believed was a female from a dating application known as BLK.
However, upon arrival to meet the supposed woman, he was robbed at gunpoint by three men, who took his phone and other items. The victim’s phone pinged back to the apartment building where Johnson resides.
The BLK profile of the supposed female had account holder pictures of Johnson. Similarly, on June 27, a different victim was planning to meet a supposed woman also from the BLK dating application.
He began texting with the other party on a phone number that later turned out to be linked to Johnson. Upon arrival, he was ordered out of his car at gunpoint by two armed men. When he attempted to drive away, he was shot by one of the armed men.
Police discovered that the same IP address was used during the communication with both victims.
Johnson is being held on a $500,000, no 10%, cash only bond.