Joplin convenience store robbed, two arrested

Castro (left) and Shores

The Joplin Police Department is investigating a Wednesday night armed robbery at the Kum & Go store at 5002 S. Main Street in Joplin.

A Joplin Police spokesman tells NewsTalk KZRG that just before 8 p.m., a male suspect approached the clerk at the register, displayed a knife, grabbed  the clerk’s arm, and demanded money from the register. The clerk was able to flee from the  suspect who left the store and got into the passenger seat of a silver Ford Focus with a female  driver. The vehicle was observed fleeing northbound on Main Street from the store.

A responding Joplin Police Officer located the suspect vehicle and was able to get it stopped near  27th and Main Street.

The male passenger was positively identified as the suspect from the  robbery and placed under arrest. He was identified as Robert S. Castro, age 24 of Joplin. The  female driver of the vehicle was found to be intoxicated and also arrested. She was identified as  Madison L. Shores, age 22 of Carthage.

Also found in Shores’ possession were prescription  medication and marijuana. Charges were submitted to the Newton County Prosecutors Office for Robbery in the 1st Degree for Robert Castro.

Charges were submitted to the Jasper County  Prosecutors Office for Driving While Intoxicated and Possession of a Controlled Substance for  Madison Shores. The clerk was not harmed during the incident.