Joplin Man Punches Woman, Steals Car During Dispute

While some local media reported a woman was car jacked in the Food 4 Less parking lot Sunday night, Joplin Police say that isn’t quite the case. That car jacking turned out to be a domestic dispute between two people who knew each other and were arguing.

Captain Trevor Duncan tells News Talk KZRG the 24-year-old Arkansas woman was driving them around town when they got in an argument, pulled into the grocery store parking lot and told 25-year-old Ryan Ewing of Joplin to get out. Eventually, the woman ended up outside of the car and Ewing moved into the driver’s seat. After starting the car, he punched her numerous times and then dragged her with the vehicle as he sped away. Ewing then crashed near Parr Hill Park at 18th and Massachusetts while being pursued by police before fleeing on foot. Just before 8 o’clock he was captured by a K-9 unit while hiding in a near by backyard in the 1700 block of South Massachusetts. The woman, whose name has not been released, sustained moderate injuries. She’s recovering at a local hospital. Ewing was also treated for a dog bite before he was hauled to jail.

Ewing is facing charges of second degree robbery for tampering with a motor vehicle, felony resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and driving while intoxicated. Ewing also had a Felony Probation Violation Warrant for drugs and two JPD City Warrants.

Police also reiterated that this was not a random incident.