ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Bridgeton man is accused of forcing his way inside a 93-year-old St. Louis County woman’s home, attacking her, and stealing her car.

According to the Hazelwood Police Department’s probable cause statement, the burglary occurred on July 19.

Police said Tony Ames (age not provided) rang the elderly woman’s doorbell and offered to sell her lawncare services.

The victim couldn’t hear Ames, so she opened the door to speak with him. Police said Ames forced his way inside the home and demanded the keys to the woman’s 2006 Buick Lucerne.


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Ames dragged the 93-year-old woman through her home and damaged property until she told him where to find her keys.

Ames took the victim’s keys and went to the garage. Ames struck and damaged the garage while backing the Lucerne out.

Investigators later found Ames driving the stolen Lucerne and arrested him. Police said Ames confessed to the crime while in custody.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Ames with first-degree burglary, vehicle hijacking, and leaving the scene of an accident. Ames is being held on a $200,000 cash-only bond. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on August 19.