POLICE: DRY CLEANER CLERK STEALS, THEN CRIES ROBBERY

A 32-year-old clerk at Parisian Cleaners in Cape Girardeau stole money from the business and then lied about it to police, authorities said Friday.

The woman was in custody Friday afternoon, pending the filing of formal charges of stealing and filing a false police report.

About 9 a.m., Cape Girardeau police responded to a call from Parisian Cleaners at 340 N. Kingshighway. The female clerk, who was later charged, reported being robbed at gunpoint by a man with pantyhose over his face.

The clerk didn't provide a concrete description of her assailant.

"Right now, she can't give us a description. She can't tell us which way he went," Cpl. K.A. May said shortly after officers responded to the scene. May was one of several officers who searched the area, believing they were looking for a fleeing robber.

Workers at a neighboring store, a wireless communications company about to open, told police they did not see any robbery.