A thief pretending to need help robbed former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden Wednesday.

The former governor said he was walking to lunch in downtown St. Louis when the man, who was holding a gas can, asked for help. When Holden pulled out his money clip, the man snatched it and ran.

No arrest has been made, and the amount of cash taken is unknown.

Holden teaches political science classes at Webster University. He served as the 53rd governor of Missouri from 2001 to 2005.