JURY FINDS CAPE MAN GUILTY OF ATTEMPTING TO ROB TEEN

JACKSON, Mo. -- A 26-year-old Cape Girardeau man faces a maximum of 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty Wednesday of attempted robbery, a prosecutor said.

Wesley Don Bartles was found guilty of the class B felony, which carries a punishment range of five to 15 years, said Angel Woodruff, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecutor. However, since he has two prior felony convictions, the possible punishment doubles.

An 18-year-old man told the court that he and a friend had met at his house on Nov. 13 to go for a walk. As they walked, the man noticed a car that seemed to be following them. The car stopped in a parking lot and the man and his friend approached, and got into an argument.

The driver got out of the car and threatened the victim and his friend with what appeared to be a gun and demanded money.

But the robber became frightened, got back into his car and drove off, the man told the court.

After an unsuccessful attempt to track down the car on foot, the victim stopped a police officer. As he explained the situation to the officer, he said he saw the robber drive past.

Police stopped Bartles, and although a gun was not found in the car, a knife was. Bartles then confessed to police, Woodruff said.

Bartles will be sentenced by Circuit Court Judge John Grimm on June 25.