KIRKWOOD • A Brentwood man charged with robbing a woman in her 70s in Kirkwood on Monday confessed and told police he was driven by a drug habit, police say.

After the robbery, police released photos of the truck the robber used to escape. A tipster recognized the truck and called authorities, according to Kirkwood police.

That tip led to the arrest of Jamie Votaw, 35, of the 8900 block of West Pendleton Avenue, on Wednesday, police said. He was charged Thursday with robbery. Bail was set at $100,000, cash-only.

Police said the woman, who is in her 70s, was leaving a business in the 100 block of West Jefferson Avenue about 2:30 p.m. Monday when a man approached, police said.

The man implied he had a weapon and demanded her purse, police said. The woman gave up her purse but was still knocked to the ground. She was otherwise unhurt.

Police said Thursday that they no longer believe Votaw had a gun, though it was initially reported as an armed robbery.

The robber left in a gray, extended-cab, 4-by-4 pickup with tinted windows, police said. The truck was found at the same address in Brentwood where Votaw was arrested.