Woman accused in three robberies disguised herself as man

Cape Girardeau police arrested a 59-year-old Cape Girardeau woman Thursday in connection with three robberies in the last month, according to a news release.

The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Elizabeth Heilman, 59, with two counts of second-degree robbery, one count of first-degree robbery and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Heilman used pepper spray on the face of a female victim Oct. 24 in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church and demanded the woman’s purse. Heilman fled before taking the woman’s purse, according to the news release.

Heilman brandished pepper spray at Chocolate Works on Oct. 28, according to the release.

She demanded money out of the register but left when the employee did not cooperate, according to the release.

Heilman went back to Chocolate works Nov. 17 and brandished a large piece of wood, according to the release. She demanded money and was given an undisclosed amount by an employee before leaving the business, the release stated.

“In each incident, the suspect was covering her face,” Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Adam Glueck wrote in the news release. “The victims initially believed the suspect was male.”

A Cape Girardeau officer spotted Heilman on Thursday walking near the intersection of Middle Street and Broadway, and she was taken into custody, according to the release.

A white substance believed to be cocaine was found in her possession, according to the statement.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO

411 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO