Man accused of stealing laptop charged with robbery

Two anonymous telephone calls resulted in felony charges against a Cape Girardeau man for allegedly stealing a laptop computer from Best Buy.

Alberto Vershon Winfield, 24, 114 S. Pacific St., was charged Sunday with the Wednesday robbery at Best Buy, 3026 William St.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said the crime was solved through the help of the local media.

"After KFVS television and the Southeast Missourian newspaper ran surveillance photos of the man committing the crime, people called the police department saying they recognized the robber," Swingle said.

Winfield was reportedly captured on a surveillance video disconnecting a power cord from a laptop computer on a display table. The video also showed him crouching behind shelves in the store and tucking the computer into his jacket.

According to police reports, Winfield then pushed aside a store employee stationed at the exit who requested he pay for the computer. Winfield allegedly took off running across William Street, and was last seen running west behind Mid America Rehab.

Cape Girardeau Police Department Cpl. Brad Smith then obtained a prior booking photograph of Winfield and put together a photo line-up. A Best Buy employee was able to make a positive identification of Winfield from the line-up.

After the positive identification, Winfield was questioned by Cape Girardeau Police Detective Bill Bohnert and confessed to the theft.

Swingle said in most cases, police and prosecutors can't release evidence to the news media prior to a trial unless the police are asking for help in solving a crime.

"I would like to thank the anonymous callers who gave the tips to the police," Swingle said. "It should have occurred to the robber that of all places, Best Buy would have excellent video surveillance equipment."

With three prior felony convictions, Winfield faces up to life in prison if convicted for the robbery.