Officers with the Joplin Police Department were dispatched to the Sonic Drive-In located at 720 South Maiden La. for an armed robbery that had occurred just before 5 p.m. today (February 9). An employee at Sonic indicated that a male and female subject were in a vehicle that she delivered food to and when she approached the vehicle a male subject demanded money from her.

AT LEFT, JAYCEE JONES; AT RIGHT, CRYSTAL HARPER

The victim stated that the male suspect, later identified as Jaycee Jones, was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle when he displayed a knife and demanded money from her. The female suspect, later identified as Crystal Harper, was sitting in the drivers seat.

The suspects left with an undetermined amount of money. As they were attempting to leave the area, their vehicle became stuck in the snow.

Before another employee of Sonic was able to contact the suspects in the vehicle, they both fled the area on foot. Both suspects were later located in the area by Joplin Police Officers and were taken into custody.

There were no physical injuries reported to police. Jones was arrested for 1st Degree Armed Robbery and Armed Criminal Action. Harper was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery. Charges will be forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecutors Office. Both subjects are currently in custody at the Joplin City Jail pending formal charges being filed.

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