Authorities Report: Suspect Allegedly Kills Woman in Starbucks Drive-Thru, Linked to Previous Robbery at Jack in the Box

In a shocking incident in Missouri, a man stands accused of murdering and robbing a cherished figure skating coach at a Starbucks drive-thru, following a series of armed robberies.

Keith Brown, aged 58, is facing a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, three counts of first-degree robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime. He is alleged to have killed 28-year-old Sam Linehan, as per a report from local NBC affiliate KSDK.

During a court appearance on Friday, the judge refused to grant Brown bail.

The crime spree began on February 6, when a mother and her daughter were targeted in the drive-thru of a Jack in the Box at 2163 South Grand Blvd. in St. Louis. The probable cause statement for Brown’s arrest details that he allegedly aimed a firearm at the woman’s vehicle, stealing a 9 mm handgun, her purse which contained bank cards, and both her and her daughter’s cellphones.

Continuing his criminal activities, Brown reportedly entered a Dollar General store two days later, located about eight miles away, where he brandished a gun at the cashier and demanded money. Police noted that in both instances, Brown discharged his weapon.

On Tuesday, Brown went to the Starbucks on 2350 South Grand Blvd. in St. Louis. There, Linehan is said to have been sitting in her vehicle in the drive-thru, the court document goes on. The defendant allegedly pointed a gun at Linehan and “demanded she raise her hands before he shot and killed her.” He then stole bank cards and her driver’s license, police said.

Surveillance footage captured all three incidents, authorities said, claiming Brown wore a neon safety vest and a hard hat during each robbery. When they executed a search warrant at his home, they found the vest and hat, as well as “stolen items” from the victims and “suspected narcotics.”

The probable cause statement adds that the defendant is a convicted felon for first-degree robbery “for which he has absconded while being on Parole.” He was taken into custody at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, according to KSDK.

Brown has a confined docket hearing scheduled for Thursday, and is set to have a preliminary hearing on March 11.

Linehan was a coach for the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club. The organization sent a message to its members about the loss.

“It is with deep sadness that I share heartbreaking news about Coach Sam,” the statement obtained by KSDK reads. “We were informed yesterday afternoon that Coach Sam died as a result of the shooting near Tower Grove. This is an unimaginable loss for our community, and we know this news will be difficult for many of our skaters and families to process.”