Man JPD arrested after reports of his casing local banks suspected in Tulsa bank robbery

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Yesterday on 2-07-2018 at 1:07 p.m. the Joplin Police Department responded to a call at 1710 East 32nd Street, Great Southern Bank. Employees reported that a black male in a dark colored Ford Mustang with a temp tag had been driving in their lot suspiciously. Officers arrived and further learned the male had come into the bank, stood around, and acted suspiciously with his statements and actions. They also reported he had a pair of visible handcuffs on his waistline and a bulge in his back pocket. He left the bank and kept driving back by, so an employee followed him to Arvest Bank at 3201 South McClelland.

Officers also responded to 3201 South McClelland, Arvest Bank, and contacted employees. They learned he had similar suspicious activity there and had a visible pair of handcuffs and a bulge in his back pocket. He had also left that location before officers arrived.

While officers were investigating the incidents and reviewing video, Great Southern Bank at 1710 East 32nd called and said the male had returned and was circling the bank. The employees were concerned for their safety. An officer quickly arrived and stopped the male leaving in his vehicle at 32nd and Indiana at 3:45 p.m. The male was arrested for traffic violations and JPD Detectives responded and seized numerous items from his vehicle while investigating his actions at our two banks.

The male provided his brother's identity as his own and was booked under the false name and bonded out of our jail. Shortly after he bonded out, JPD detectives learned of a bank robbery earlier in the day in Tulsa with the same suspect description and vehicle description. Joplin Detectives contacted the FBI and began working together, with us assisting the FBI. Yesterday evening at 8:30PM the suspect was contacted at Motel 6, 3031 South Range Line, and arrested as it was learned he had lied about his identity earlier in the day. The FBI is investigating this suspect and the Tulsa Bank Robbery. Any further questions about that case should be directed to the FBI. We are not releasing the suspect’s name or mugshot as to not jeopardize the investigation. The suspect is currently in custody at the Joplin City Jail.