Cape Girardeau teen charged with burglary, theft of Christmas gifts

Felony burglary charges were filed Saturday against a Cape Girardeau teenager who police say stole Christmas gifts from a family on Dorothy Street.

Police first encountered Tyson L. Abraham, 18, just before midnight Friday when he and two others ran from a squad car on Bellevue Street near Ellis Street.

According to Sgt. Jason Selzer, spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Abraham and the others were trying to hide between houses.

When Abraham consented to a search, officer Jason Young found four lighters, a flashlight, jewelry wrapped in a pair of black shorts, a cell phone, Ralph Lauren boxer shorts and a flask with "Garrett" engraved on it.

Abraham couldn't explain to the officer why he had the items, Selzer said, but voluntarily handed them over to Young.

Because there was no victim at the time and the items hadn't yet been reported stolen, Abraham and the others were allowed to leave.

Young then heard scanner traffic about a burglary in which some of the items described matched what he'd taken from Abraham.

Abraham was in custody just before 2 a.m. Saturday, according to a police report. He's charged with felony burglary, stealing and second-degree property damage, a misdemeanor.

According to Selzer, Abraham told police that more Christmas presents were in a plastic bag somewhere in Arena Park. All the items were recovered.

"Some of the other items we believe may have come from vehicles in the area ... or maybe another burglary," Selzer said. "We're still investigating that."

Abraham is in custody on a $7,500 bond and is set to appear in court at 9 a.m. Jan. 12.

Charges against the two others allegedly involved in the crime are pending, police said.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Dorothy Street, Cape Girardeau, MO