Cape Girardeau County mom and son allegedly stole truck at knifepoint

A Cape Girardeau County mother and son were charged with first-degree robbery Friday after the pair allegedly stole another man's Chevrolet truck and fled north to Perry County.

Rhonda Jones, 41, and Richard Bowker, 20, allegedly stole the truck from a Cape Girardeau County man who was offering the two a temporary place to live, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case.

Cape Girardeau County deputy K. Duncan says in the statement that before leaving the victim's home, Jones and the man got in an argument and the victim tried to escape, but was tackled by Bowker. The statement also says the mother and son hit the victim in his face and threatened to stab him and that Jones trapped the victim in the bathroom.

The victim reported miscellaneous items stolen from his home including more than $1,200 in cash, a box knife, a cell phone and two leather jackets.

Jones and Bowker, allegedly driving the stolen vehicle, were stopped by a Perryville, Mo., police officer and Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 55. The officers initiated the stop near the Perryville exit after hearing scanner traffic about a recent robbery in Cape Girardeau County.

Authorities found the victim's wallet, more than $160 in cash, a cell phone, a folding knife with blood on it and a blue utility knife inside the vehicle.

During an interview with Bowker, Duncan said he admitted to seeing his mother and the victim argue and also to seeing Jones chase the victim through the residence while carrying a knife.

Jones was also interviewed by police and according to Duncan admitted to holding the knife while arguing with the victim, but said she wasn't using it as a weapon.

Jones and Bowker are being held in the Cape Girardeau County jail on a $100,000 bond and are scheduled to appear before a judge for their preliminary hearing Dec. 28.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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