On Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Fairview Heights Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting an armed robbery, which had just occurred. The location of the robbery was reported to be just outside of the food court entrance at the St. Clair Square Mall. The caller described two suspects and said that they were armed with a firearm.
When officers arrived, they interviewed the victim, an employee of Sarku Japan restaurant in the food court. He exclaimed that he had walked outside the mall with a bank bag to make a deposit when the supposed suspects approached him. While investigating the report, officers found discrepancies in his account of what had happened.
The victim:
Sher Bhujel
25 years of age
700 Block of Pardella
St. Louis, MO
was later interviewed by detectives, who learned that he had planned to report the robbery to cover his own crimes. Detectives learned that he had previously stolen some of the restaurant’s bank deposits for his own use and made up the robbery to clear himself with his employers.
Today, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney. A warrant was issued, charging Sher Bhujel with two felony counts; Count One: Theft (Class 3 Felony), Count Two: Disorderly Conduct (False report of armed robbery Class 4 Felony).
Bhujel’s bond has been set at $20,000; he is currently being held at the St Clair County Jail.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.