Sikeston officers kept busy with discovery of body, shooting

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Between Friday and Monday evening, Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers found a dead woman lying near a roadway, responded to a shooting, an armed robbery and stabbing, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

According to DPS director Drew Juden, an unidentified woman was found lying near the roadway around 10 p.m. Friday. The 49-year-old was found lying unresponsive at Stoddard Street and Malone Avenue.

Efforts to revive the woman were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at Missouri Delta Medical Center a short time later. The Scott County coroner's office ordered an autopsy, which was conducted Sunday morning. Results were not available at press time, although no foul play is suspected.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at a rear apartment at 319 W. North St. around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Despite a sketchy initial call, officers were able to locate a crime scene at the apartment but not the victim. The occupant, Octavia Hudson, said shots had been fired in her apartment and her brother, Julius Hudson, had sustained a gunshot wound to his hand. They had left the apartment and their whereabouts were unknown when officers arrived.

Early Sunday morning, Julius Hudson went to Missouri Delta Medical Center for treatment of the wound and officers were able to obtain his information concerning the shooting. Hudson stated he had an argument with another subject at his sister's residence when he was shot in the hand. The identity of the suspect has not been released pending his arrest and charges.

Just past midnight Sunday, an armed robbery was reported to DPS by James Trendley and Michael Roloff.

According to the victims, two men came in to the apartment at 228 N. Handy -- one armed with a knife and the other with a gun. Apparently, one of the attackers that had the knife began striking Roloff, who received a cut above his left eye and right shoulder. Roloff was taken to Missouri Delta Medical Center for his injuries and was treated and released. An undetermined amount of money was taken by the suspects, who also made the victims undress before fleeing.

Monday evening, officers were dispatched to 503 Davis Blvd., where a witness observed two black males breaking into "Anything and Everything" discount grocery store. According to the witness the two suspects were last seen running down Thrush Street. A small amount of money was taken in the burglary.

All of these cases are under investigation by DPS officers. Anyone with information is asked to call either 471-6200 or 471-1500. All calls can be kept confidential.