Police accuse man of beating two women, shooting in one victim's direction

A 27-year-old woman told police she was punched in the head in the back of a idling car. When she tried to run away from the assault, she heard a single gunshot behind her, she said.

Latonio T. Jones, 33, of Cape Girardeau was charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He was arrested Wednesday. His bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety.

Officers arrived at 123 S. West End Blvd., where the victim ran after she left the vehicle, about 11 p.m. May 8, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Cape Girardeau police officer Brian Eggers.

Eggers noticed visible injuries to the victim’s head and leg.

She told Eggers she was in the back seat of a vehicle. When that vehicle stopped on South Park Street, Latonio Jones entered the back seat, holding a large black handgun, according to the statement. He punched the victim in the head and face and punched the female driver of the vehicle, whom the victim said was her friend, Eggers wrote.

Jones demanded the woman give him her cellphone, but the woman resisted, the report stated. She attempted to kick at Jones, but Jones bit her in the leg, Eggers wrote.

Eggers wrote Jones told the driver to drive and said he was going to kill the victim. That’s when the victim got out of the vehicle and ran. Before she reached the sidewalk, she heard a loud gunshot, according to the statement.

Officers found a spent .40-caliber shell casing from the roadway in front of 129 S. Park St, Eggers wrote. Eggers reported Jones stole the woman’s cellphone and purse.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 129 S. Park St., Cape Girardeau, Mo