Suspect snags wig in attempted Sikeston holdup

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston police subdued a man they say tried to rob a convenience store but got nothing but a used wig.

Investigators on Monday released the following account: Robert Peaks Jr. of St. Louis tried to rob the U-Pump-It around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, threatening the clerk with a knife. Peaks grabbed the clerk's hair -- which turned out to be a wig and came off in his hand -- and then tried to walk behind the counter.

The startled clerk jumped over the counter and ran outside yelling for help. Peaks took off and was caught by an officer at another convenience store a short time later. The officer used a department-issued Taser to shock Peaks when he refused to comply with the officer's requests.

Peaks is a parole absconder from the Missouri Department of Corrections and is in custody with no bond on that warrant. Charges of attempted armed robbery and armed criminal action in connection with the U-Pump-It case are pending.

The report contained no additional information, and a woman who answered the phone Monday afternoon at the Sikeston Department of Public Safety said no one was available to provide additional information.