Jackson man gets prison term for bicycle robbery

Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis sentenced Jessie L. Mercer, 38, of Jackson to five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for robbing Joseph Littleton of his bicycle about Dec. 19.

Littleton said Mercer punched and knocked him off his bicycle near the intersection of Silver Springs Road and Shawnee Parkway in Cape Girardeau, then punched and kicked him on the ground and stole $60 out of Littleton's wallet, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Joey Hann.

Cape Girardeau police officers later bought Littleton a new bicycle, knowing he used one to commute to work.

Pertinent address: 100 Court St., Jackson, MO