Joplin, Pittsburg men arrested following robbery, pistol whipping

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On November 30, 2023, at approximately 2:45 a.m., the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a report of a robbery and assault near the 2200 block of West 3rd Street. 

It was reported that two suspects had assaulted a 17-year-old juvenile male by physically striking him in the head multiple times with a handgun, then stealing his phone, wallet, and shoes.

 

As the victim attempted to flee on foot, witnesses reported a gunshot coming from the suspect vehicle. Officers immediately responded to the area and located the suspect vehicle attempting to leave at a high rate of speed. 

A high-risk traffic stop was conducted near 7th Street and Tri-State Road. Two adult male suspects were detained, and evidence of the shooting was found in the vehicle. Both males were arrested at the scene. They have been identified as Andrew M. Reed, age 21 of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Bobby M. Bush, age 18 of Joplin, Missouri. 

Charges were forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for Robbery in the 1st Degree for both Reed and Bush. 

The juvenile victim in this case was treated on scene for minor injuries related to the assault. Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are continuing their investigation of this incident and further details may be released as information becomes available.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed first degree robbery charges against the men this afternoon and bond was set at $10,000 cash only.