Cape Girardeau police arrest man on weapons charges following ShotSpotter alert
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A Cape Girardeau man has been arrested and charged after police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and recovered a firearm early Saturday morning.
According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, officers were dispatched around 2 a.m. on Oct. 18 to the 800 block of Hickory Street following the alert. Upon arrival, officers found evidence of gunfire in an alley between the 1100 blocks of South Pacific Street and South Ellis Street.
Officers in the area reported seeing a vehicle speeding away from the scene. A traffic stop was conducted, and police identified one of the passengers as Maurice Patterson Jr., 25, of Cape Girardeau.
During the investigation, officers located a firearm and ammunition under the seat where Patterson had been sitting. The ammunition matched shell casings found at the scene. Police said Patterson has prior felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm.
No injuries or property damage were reported.
Patterson was taken into custody and later charged by the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor’s Office with unlawful use of a weapon (Class B felony) and unlawful possession of a firearm (Class C felony). He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
Police noted that an offense charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 573-335-6621, the anonymous tip line at 573-339-6313, or by texting “CAPEPD” to 847411.
