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

Bereta Alesandru of Spring Hill, Fla., made her first Grant County Circuit Court appearance June 7 on 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 $50,000 in fines if convicted.

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

According to the criminal complaint, an employee at 3 Marias, 125 E. Main St., said Alesandru entered 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 allegedly said “It was a very good knife.”

Alesandru allegedly took $80 from the cash register and wanted $800, but went down to $300.

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

Grant County Sheriff and UW-Platteville police assisted at the scene.