Police arrest teen for Wal-Mart armed robbery in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - A 19-year-old has been charged with first-degree robbery after police said he used a knife to steal electronics from a Cedar Rapids Wal-Mart.

Travis T. Stewart, no known address, was arrested by police Friday and now faces two felony charges for two separate incidents in the last week of July. He is accused of taking a Nintendo DS video game console, an iPod Touch mp3 player and a video game with a total value of $409 from Wal-Mart, 3601 29th Ave. SW.

According to the police report, the suspect was in the store just before 11:30 p.m. on July 28 when he pulled out a pocket knife. Police said the suspect threatened a male employee before running out a back emergency exit with the merchandise. No one was hurt in the incident.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said investigators identified Stewart when they received a tip that he had committed the robbery. Stewart was arrested without incident at 1655 B Ave. NW around 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Two days before the Wal-Mart robbery, police said Stewart broke into a residence at 3322 Southland St. SW and stole cash, credit cards and a video game system. According to a criminal complaint, he used the credit card to make a purchase at Kwik Shop, 3301 J St. SW.

Stewart has been charged with second-degree burglary and fraudulent use of a credit card for those incidents. Hamblin said one of the victims in the case is Stewart's ex-foster mother.

Stewart remained at the Linn County Jail on Wednesday, in lieu of $30,000 cash bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 17.