A St. Louis woman was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison in federal district court for robbing three branches of the same business in the metro-east, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton.

Chrice Shunta Combs, 32, robbed three separate branches of "The Cash Store" in Southern Illinois in 2010. She robbed the store in Wood River on Aug. 31, the store in Highland on Sept. 16 and the one in Chester on Dec. 21, according to court documents.

The investigation led to Combs as the armed robber at each store. Combs, armed with a firearm and a knife, robbed the clerks at the three stores of a total of $10,125. As part of her sentencing, Combs is required to pay the money she took back in restitution.

The case was investigated by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.