Two Joplin men arrested after Friday police pursuit

Two men from Joplin have been arrested after a high speed chase that went through portions of west Joplin and southeast Kansas on Friday. Read the full press release below:

On March 22nd, 2024, at approximately 4:00 pm an officer with the Joplin Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black 2017 Toyota Yaris for traffic violations. The vehicle fled from the stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued, which went west out of Joplin, temporarily went into Kansas, before returning to Missouri.

During the pursuit there were multiple items being tossed from the vehicle by occupants. After deploying tire deflation devices, the vehicle pursuit ended near 20th and Malang on the west side of Joplin and two occupants were detained from the vehicle.

Officers were able to locate the items discarded from the vehicle during the pursuit. These items included a baggie containing 2.59 grams of Heroin, a baggie containing 64.6 grams of Fentanyl, and 35 Pseudoephedrine pills weighing 25.2 grams. Additionally, the vehicle from the pursuit was found to be stolen out of Cabool, Missouri.

There were no injuries or civilian property damaged from this incident.

The driver, Joseph W. Hood, age 41 of Joplin, was arrested on charges of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating a Vehicle with No Valid Driver’s License, and Resisting Arrest. His bond was set at $250,000 surety and $25,000 cash.

The passenger, Bobby  L. Cooper, age 36, of Joplin, was arrested on four active warrants out of the City of Joplin, Tampering with Evidence, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 2nd Degree, and Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $100,000 surety and $10,000 cash.