Cape Girardeau man sentenced to prison for armed robbery

A Cape Girardeau man convicted in a 5-year-old robbery case Cape Girardeau County prosecutors credit DNA evidence in solving was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.

Ronald D. Heyl, 57, was sentenced on charges of felony robbery and armed criminal action for stealing more than $1,000 from Quik Cash, where he threatened an employee at knifepoint.

Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester said Circuit Court Judge William Syler ordered the sentences to be served concurrently.

A Cape Girardeau County jury found Heyl guilty at a one-day trial in late October.

Koester said in a sentencing assessment report ordered by Syler that Heyl maintained his innocence.

In October a jury heard evidence from the victim, who testified that a man wearing a black Carhart jacket, blue gloves with red stripes and a nylon stocking over his face entered Quik Cash and threatened her with a knife, demanding cash. The robber got away with about $1,100.

"The victim, she provided a statement through the sentencing assessment report, but wasn't present to address the court at the sentencing," Koester said.

Authorities were also called to the stand and testified about finding the black jacket, gloves and the nylon in a trash bin near the business.

DNA taken from the clothing matched profiles taken from Heyl and entered into the CODIS database -- a national computer program that indexes DNA profiles of offenders, crime scene evidence and missing person.

Koester said Heyl must complete 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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