Suspect arrested after armed robbery of Vintage Stock at Northpark Mall

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Sunday at 5:30 p.m. officers were dispatched to Vintage Stock, 101 North Range Line at Northpark Mall, for an armed robbery that just occurred.

Employees had seen a male in the store concealing approximately $430 worth of merchandise. When he left the store without paying they followed him outside and contacted him. He began running from them across the parking lot before dropping the merchandise, pulling a knife, and challenging employees with the knife. He then re-entered the Mall through the door to SEARS and was lost sight of. 

The suspect was described as wearing a mullet wig, a Yankees jersey t-shirt and carrying a knife. Pictures of the suspect were distributed amongst officers on scene and a JPD Officer recognized the male from previous arrests.

A Duquesne police officer was assisting our department due to the size of the mall and needing more officers to adequately contain the suspect. The Duquesne police officer located the suspect walking away on the west side of the Mall, on Mall Road, away from the main entrance. He detained the male until JPD officers could assist him. 

Ultimately, that male was identified as the suspect and had the wig and Yankees shirt stuffed in his pants. The knife was also recovered.

The suspect, Brian M. Fritzke, 52, Joplin, was arrested for first degree robbery and armed criminal action. Charges are being submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office. Thank you to the Duquesne Police Department for the assistance.