Police: Man said he stole Wal-Mart items for child's birthday

A Cape Girardeau man said he stole $600 worth of Wal-Mart merchandise for his child’s upcoming birthday, according to police.

Cape Girardeau police arrested Cody Alan Bill Bredekamp, 21, on Friday morning. The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged him with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and stealing. Bredekamp’s bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety.

A Wal-Mart loss-prevention associate saw Bredekamp put clothing into a diaper bag and put a hat on his head, according to a probable-cause report filed by officer Will Rogers.

Bredekamp walked to the front of the store, gathered shopping bags and proceeded to put merchandise in those bags, Rogers wrote. He placed a pair of Wal-Mart shoes on his feet and made his way to the register, according to the statement. He bought a plastic tote bag, but did not pay for the items he had in bags or on his person, Rogers wrote.

The loss-prevention associate confronted Bredekamp and found miscellaneous clothing items, jewelry and toiletry items, according to the statement.

Rogers read Bredekamp his Miranda rights to remain silent, and Bredekamp said he intended to steal items for his child’s upcoming birthday, Rogers wrote.

Rogers also found in Bredekamp’s pocket a gram of methamphetamine that field-tested positive for the narcotic, according to the statement.

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Pertinent address:

3439 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.