Cape Girardeau police investigate burglar armed with AR-style rifle

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Police responded to a reported burglary in progress at a residence in the 2000 block of N. Sprigg St. on March 2, 2025, at about 7:20 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers found the front door had been forced open. The victim, who was hiding inside, described the suspect as a dark-skinned black male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and armed with a gray AR-style rifle.

Cape Girardeau Police public information officer Bobby Newton said the victim was not harmed.

“Luckily, the suspect did not locate her. He just stole the money and then left the area,” he said.

The victim reported approximately $1,000 in damage to the door frame and $180 in stolen cash. No arrests have been made.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 573-335-6621 or anonymously at 573-339-6313. Tips can also be submitted by texting “CAPEPD” to 84741 or using the app CapePD Tips, by Citizen Observer, LLC.

Newton said if someone were to break into your place, call 911 first and then try to get out.

“If you can exit the residence — get out, do that. If you can’t — try to hide, the best you can,” he said. “And then last resort — fight back.”

We also reached out to through the Now Local News app to hear what people have to say about gun violence in the area.

“I feel very safe in Cape Girardeau. I’m always locking my car and making sure that my doors are locked,” Ty Hudson said.

“I think before I felt safe going around Cape at all times of the day and night,” Christy Newsome said, “but the increasing amount of gun violence has prompted me to be a little bit more aware of our surroundings. We’re always making sure that we lock all of our doors at night — all of the windows remain locked. We lock them even when we’re in the house to make sure that no one, you know, just comes straight in and tries to commit a crime.”