Woman charged in Mississippi Mutts burglary, held on $15,000 cash-only bond
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — A woman accused of breaking into Mississippi Mutts in downtown Cape Girardeau and stealing cash has been formally charged, according to court records filed Wednesday.
Britney Nicole Childers, 25, is charged with second-degree burglary, a Class D felony; resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony, a Class E felony; and misdemeanor stealing.
Court records show a warrant was issued Wednesday with a $15,000 cash-only bond. Conditions listed in the warrant include GPS monitoring, random alcohol and drug testing and no direct or indirect contact with the victim or witnesses in the case.
Childers appeared in custody by video for her initial court appearance Thursday, Aug. 13. She requested representation through the public defender’s office and remained in custody following the hearing.
A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 10:29 a.m. Aug. 20 before Judge Amy Kobelski Trueblood at the Cape Girardeau County courthouse in Jackson.
The charges stem from an Aug. 10 break-in at Mississippi Mutts, 609 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.
According to a probable cause statement, police responded to the business around 9:37 p.m. after receiving a report of suspicious activity. An officer reported finding a broken window on the east side of the building and a chair positioned below the window.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Childers approach the business around 9:03 p.m., pull on the front door and reach through its mail slot in what police described as an apparent attempt to manipulate the locking mechanism.
Police said additional traffic-camera footage showed Childers walking toward the 600 block of Broadway shortly before the break-in and later traveling away from the area. The business reported approximately $155 missing, including about $100 from a money bag and $55 from the cash register.
An officer encountered Childers shortly after midnight Aug. 11 while she was walking on Green Acres Drive. According to the probable cause statement, Childers allegedly pulled away from the officer and repeatedly attempted to free her hands while being taken into custody. Police said she was ultimately arrested without further incident.
Police reported finding $164.68 in cash in Childers’ possession when she was arrested, including what investigators described as a large amount of coins.
Childers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
