Woman accused of wielding hammer during altercation

A Cape Girardeau woman faces charges in connection with an altercation in which police said she was wielding a hammer.

Chimeca D. Deberry, 42, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree assault.

Sgt. Rick Schmidt of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said he saw Deberry hold a hammer over her head and approach another woman in what was described as a physical altercation about 3:30 p.m. Friday near 2112 William St., according to a probable-cause statement filed by officer Orrin Hawkins.

Schmidt, who was stopped in his patrol car at a stoplight at the time, sounded his emergency siren. That prompted Deberry to lower the hammer, enter her vehicle and flee the area, Hawkins wrote.

Schmidt pulled Deberry over and arrested her after a short chase, according to the statement.

Pertinent address: 2112 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO