Joplin man pleads guilty to Select Jewelers robbery

Paul E. Lloyd, 33, Joplin, pleaded guilty this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield to the March 17, 2016, robbery of Select Jewelers, 3120 S. Main, Joplin.

Lloyd also pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and for his using a stolen vehicle across state lines.

Sentencing will be held at a later date.

The crimes were described in the following Joplin Police Department news release:

On March 17th at approximately 5:37 PM, the Joplin Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Select Jewelers at 3120 South Main.

A male suspect showed a handgun before firing a round through the wall of the store. It was later determined to have passed through the wall into Schlotzky’s. The male suspect ran on foot south across 32nd Street through traffic to Walgreens before fleeing in a vehicle. The suspect was described was a white or Hispanic male of average build and average height. There were no injuries in this incident and the suspect made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry.

On 03/19/2016 at 1820, the Joplin Police Department responded to an armed robbery that occurred near E. Central St. and McKee Ave. The victim, Joshua P. Michael, 25, Webb City, reported that he had given a ride to an unknown male from Kum & Go at 1631 E 4th St and near McKee and Central the suspect put a gun to his head and stole his red 2002 Ford Mustang.

The suspect was described as a white male, skinny, and appeared to be in his mid-30s. The vehicle was entered into the national database as stolen.

On 3/20/2016, Cherokee County, KS Deputies were able to locate the stolen Ford Mustang and engaged in a pursuit and a subsequent foot pursuit culminating with the arrest of Paul E. Lloyd, 33, Joplin. Lloyd is currently in custody in Cherokee County, KS on other charges. Joplin Police Detectives contacted Lloyd in the Cherokee County facility on 3/20/2016. The Joplin Police Department has forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office, charges for Robbery 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action for each incident respectively.