Parsons Police stop armed assailants in aggravated robbery

The Parsons Police Department responded to a call on Saturday, October 28th regarding threats of violence. Following the event the Parsons Police Department issued the following statement:

The Parsons Police Department responded to a call on October 28, 2023, reporting a potentially
dangerous altercation involving a firearm in the 2300 block of Clark Ave.

According to eyewitness accounts, four individuals gained entry to a yard and subsequently proceeded to a shed, where they encountered three victims: Christuffer Roeder, Luke Martin, and Nathaniel Steele. It was during this encounter that two of the four individuals brandished weapons, directing them towards the victims. In response to this threat, Christuffer Roeder, one of the victims, drew his own weapon, causing the four assailants to flee the scene.

Subsequently, the victims were able to provide valuable information to law enforcement, allowing them to positively identify the individuals involved. The victims identified the assailants as Austin Pollard, Josh Chaloupek, Trevor Pecha, and Langston Polk, all of whom were present during the incident. However, it should be noted that only Austin and Josh were reported to have brandished weapons during the altercation.

In the wake of this incident officers initiated a comprehensive canvassing of the area and began following up on leads, as well as exploring connections to known associates, in their pursuit of the suspects. As a result of these efforts, Austin Pollard and Josh Chaloupek were apprehended and subsequently arrested for Aggravated Robbery.

Furthermore, additional charges were added against Austin Pollard for Criminal Use of a Weapon and Possession of Marijuana. Charges for Trevor Pecha and Langston Polk are currently under review in relation to their roles in the incident.

Parsons Police Lieutenant Kyle Wiford commented on the situation, stating, “This is an unfortunate incident involving a small group of individuals known to each other. It is disheartening that these targeted acts of violence, committed by a small percentage of the Parsons community, continue to perpetuate a false perception of our city. Fortunately, there were no injuries or worse, casualties, in this particular case.”