Accused Great Southern Bank robber to be held without bond

The man accused of committing the May 9 armed robbery of Great Southern Bank, 1232 South Range Line Road in Joplin, will be held without bond while awaiting the trial.

Judge David P. Rush issued the detention order today for Vincept Gepson, 63, Anderson:

The evidence at the detention hearing established that the weight of the evidence against the defendant is overwhelming.

Regarding the potential for failure to appear, the Court notes the offense charged and defendant’s criminal history which includes, but is not limited to, the following: prior felony and misdemeanor arrests and convictions; criminal activity while under supervision; prior failure to appear; and supervision non-compliance. 

The Court also notes defendant’s substance abuse history and mental health history. Regarding the potential danger to the community, the Court notes the nature of the instant offense and defendant’s criminal history which includes, but is not limited to, the following: prior felony and misdemeanor arrests and convictions; violent behavior history; history of weapons use; charge involving violence; criminal activity while under supervision; pattern of similar criminal activity history; and supervision non-compliance. 

In addition, the Court notes defendant’s substance abuse history and mental health history.

Gepson was placed on the Joplin Police Department's radar when he called the police after someone posted the surveillance photo of the robbery on his Facebook page.

Gepson told JPD Sgt. Luke Stahl that the robber looked like him but that he had not robbed the bank and was in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, at the time of the robbery.

It did not take long for JPD to check its own collection of Gepson booking photos, and match Gepson's tattoos to the robber's.The Anderson Police Department discovered Gepson had borrowed a surgical mask similar to the one worn by the robber during a visit to the Economic Security Agency in Anderson that morning.

At the time of the robbery, Gepson was awaiting trial on a felony possession of a controlled substance charge in Newton County and a felony passing a bad check charge in McDonald County.