Suspect hospitalized, charged with felony stealing after confrontation with Joplin Police at 7th Street Wal-Mart

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On July 9, 2018 at 1:33pm officers with the Joplin Police Department were dispatched to West 7th Street Wal-Mart, 2623 West 7th.

Employees with the store had called to report a male trespassing next to a vehicle on the east side of the parking lot. Employees identified the male by name and said he had been previously banned from the store and they wanted to press charges.

Officers arrived on scene and contacted the male. The male was contacted and gave a false first name, false date of birth and a false social security number. 

When officers confirmed that he was providing false information they attempted to arrest him for obstruction/resisting so they could continue their investigation. The male resisted and ran southbound in the parking lot with the officers chasing him. 

One of the officers deployed a taser to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The male fell on the parking lot and hit his head. The male was unconscious and officers noticed that he had an apparent head injury. 

Officers immediately requested Joplin Fire and METS Ambulance to respond emergency as officers began providing first aid. METS and Joplin Fire arrived and took over care of the male. 

The male suspect was transported to Freeman Hospital where he is currently being treated for his injuries. No officers were injured in this incident.

It was determined that the male suspect had given false information about his identity to officers. It was also learned that he had entered the store before officer’s arrival and stole items. He also had a Jasper County Felony Warrant for stealing. This incident is still under investigation at this time.