Region/state digest 06/01/02

One bank robbery suspect in custody

MALDEN, Mo. -- Authorities say they may have one of the men who robbed the First State Community Bank of Malden last week in custody. The man, whose name is not being released pending filing of formal charges, was arrested in Sikeston on outstanding Dunklin County warrants and is being held in the Dunklin County Jail in Kennett, Mo.

In the meantime the search continues for the remaining two bank robbers -- and possibly a fourth suspect.

The bank robbery took place the morning of Wednesday, May 22. Authorities said three black males, at least one of whom was armed with a handgun, had entered the bank and left minutes later with an undisclosed amount of cash.

No one was injured during the holdup.

Man charged for damage in bare-behind ram

HILLSBORO, Mo.-- A Jefferson County jail inmate was charged with second-degree property damage after breaking a bulletproof window with his bare behind.

Authorities said the damage occurred on May 19. Garrette Bellew, 21, allegedly dropped his pants, ran toward a door and struck it with his naked posterior while a guard was on the other side.

Bellew, of Imperial, was awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree burglary.

The property damage charge filed Thursday carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.

KC man faces charges in Springfield bar fight

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Kansas City man was charged Friday with driving into a crowd outside a Southwest Missouri night club, seriously injuring 10 people.

Demond L. Parker, 29, faces 13 counts in the March 15 incident at Remington's in Springfield, Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore said.

The charges include two counts each of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, eight counts of second-degree assault and one count of leaving the scene of an accident.

Springfield police said Parker got into a fight after he was accused of grabbing some women inside the club. Remington's security broke up the fight, and Parker went to his car.

Parker allegedly hit a security guard and another vehicle when he backed his car out of a parking space, authorities said. Parker allegedly then drove forward, not stopping for a crowd leaving the club, and sped away.

Zoo celebrates birth of male giraffe, its 14th

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A baby giraffe is the latest arrival at the Dickerson Park Zoo, the 14th to be born there.

The 6-foot-tall male calf was born Thursday in an exhibit yard as zookeepers and guests looked on. While the zoo isn't able to weigh the newcomer, it's estimated he checked in at between 100 and 125 pounds.

Zoo officials named the calf "K.T." after a young girl who noticed the birth was taking place and alerted a zoo keeper, spokeswoman Melinda Mancuso said Friday. The keeper learned the girl's name was "Katie," but did not get any other information about her, Mancuso said.

The zoo participates in a newly formed Species Survival Plan for giraffes through the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. There are fewer than 100 of the Baringo species of giraffe in captivity.

The calf was the fourth born to the mother, Gidget, who arrived at Springfield in 1993 from the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

The father is Stretch, brought to Springfield in 1988 from Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.

The calf was immediately placed on display, along with the zoo's other four giraffes.

Historical group to have gathering at gallery

The Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau will hold a wine and cheese party at the Kelsen Gallery, 13 S. Spanish, in Cape Girardeau, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

All members, old and new, are invited to attend.

-- From wire, staff reports