Florida woman in court after armed robbery in Platteville

PLATTEVILLE — A 45-year-old Florida woman was arrested after an armed robbery in downtown Platteville on June 6.

Bereta Alesandru of Spring Hill, Fla., made her first appearance in Grant County Circuit Court on June 7 on a charge of robbery with threat of force.

Alesandru is free on $5,000 cash bail. A status conference is scheduled for June 13. She faces up to 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted.

Platteville Police received a report of an armed robbery at a downtown business on June 6 at 3:50 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, an employee at 3 Marias, 125 E. Main St., said Alesandru came into the business and said she needed $80 for gas, offering Air Pods in exchange. The employee saw a folding knife when Alesandru opened her purse, and Alesandru reportedly said, “That was a really good knife.”

Alesandru allegedly took $80 out of the cash register and wanted $800, but it came down to $300.

After a trooper spotted the vehicle, which had Florida license plates, police conducted a high-risk traffic stop on US 151. A man, a woman and a juvenile in the vehicle were been apprehended.

The Grant County Sheriff and UW-Platteville Police responded to the scene.