Police: Suspect arrested, claims it was revenge theft

One suspect in a multifaceted robbery Feb. 4 has been arrested and charged in part because of a recognizable nickname. He told police the robbery was revenge after one of the victims swindled him in a previous drug deal.

Anthony Michael Ramirez, 23, of Cape Girardeau was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of first-degree robbery.

Ramirez set up a rendezvous with two female victims and two armed, face-obscured robbers about 7 a.m. Feb. 4 in a garage at 148 Garden Lane, according to a probable-cause report from Cape Girardeau police.

The two victims said they wanted to meet with Ramirez’s girlfriend, and they picked him up at the McDonald’s on Broadway, according to the report.

Ramirez led them into the garage, walked out supposedly to bring his girlfriend, and two unknown male suspects walked in with bandannas covering their faces, displaying black handguns and asking the victims to empty their pockets, according to the report.

The robbery netted $1,200 cash, two cellphones, 40 Xanax pills, 90 oxycodone pills and 20 Adderall pills, according to the report. The robbers fled from the garage; the victims heard three vehicle doors being shut and a vehicle drive away, according to the report. The victims thought Ramirez, who they knew as Ace, was the driver, the report stated.

Officer Jacob Carter was familiar with Ramirez and his nickname Ace, according to the report. A photo lineup was prepared and shown to one of the victims, who positively identified Ramirez, the report stated. Detectives interviewed Ramirez on Wednesday; Ramirez was read his Miranda rights and agreed to talk about the investigation without an attorney, according to the report.

Ramirez told detective Shawn Davis he had brokered a drug deal with one of the victims for an ounce of methamphetamine for $1,000 that led to the meeting in the garage, according to the report. Ramirez said the victim had ripped him off for $300 in a previous drug deal; the Feb. 4 robbery was payback, according to the report. He said a pink plastic gun was used in the robbery and gave two names of accomplices, but then said they were not involved in the robbery.

Ramirez’s bond was set at $75,000 cash or surety.

Cape Girardeau public information officer Adam Glueck said police are following leads on the two other robbery suspects.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

148 Garden Lane, Cape Girardeau, Mo.