Two Arrested After Chase Ends at Joplin Pinnacle Bank

A Standoff at a Busy Intersection in Joplin

A routine traffic stop in Joplin, Missouri, escalated into a tense standoff that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and left a major thoroughfare closed for several hours. The incident began when officers attempted to pull over a vehicle near the intersection of 24th and Range Line. The driver, identified as Mark Trease, 30, from Carthage, fled the scene and made his way to the parking lot of Pinnacle Bank.

Trease was accompanied by a passenger, Sean Gillis, 32, from Webb City. Both individuals initially refused to exit the vehicle. Officers were able to take Trease into custody after additional units arrived on the scene. However, Gillis remained inside the car and refused to comply with orders to exit.

This led to a significant escalation in police presence. Authorities called for more units, including those equipped with sniper rifles and the SWAT team. Captain Austin Wolf, a spokesperson for the Joplin Police Department, explained the reasoning behind the increased response. "There are several factors that contribute to the police presence in this situation. First, the driver had outstanding warrants from a different jurisdiction. Second, the location was a highly populated area—24th and Range Line is a busy intersection. Third, the vehicle fled to a bank parking lot that was open and had patrons inside. Additionally, the passenger was armed with a handgun," Wolf said.

The situation was eventually resolved without any injuries. Gillis was taken into custody, and authorities found a loaded 9 mm handgun inside the vehicle. He is now facing charges related to resisting arrest. Meanwhile, Trease was arrested on four outstanding warrants for traffic violations and two for resisting arrest from Carthage, along with two bench warrants for obstruction from Joplin.

Joplin police were forced to close Range Line between 20th and 32nd Street for several hours during the standoff. This caused significant disruptions for drivers and pedestrians in the area. The road was eventually reopened once the situation was under control.

Details of the Incident

The events unfolded around 3 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. According to an earlier update, police confirmed that both suspects were arrested following a brief standoff. The suspect driving a truck had entered the Pinnacle Bank parking lot while being pursued by officers. After exiting the vehicle, the driver was taken into custody.

A longer standoff followed with the passenger, who was barricaded in the truck by SWAT teams alongside local police. The red truck was surrounded by law enforcement vehicles, and the passenger eventually exited and was also arrested. Authorities have since reopened Range Line Road to traffic.

Initial Reports and Concerns

At the start of the incident, police reported that a possible armed suspect had shut down a major thoroughfare in Joplin. The suspect driver was believed to be fleeing the area of Pinnacle Bank on Range Line Road, which prompted the closure of the road from 20th to 32nd Street. At least one passenger was in the vehicle, and motorist and pedestrian advisories were issued to find alternate routes.

SWAT teams were deployed to assist with the situation, working closely with the Joplin Police Department to identify the individuals involved. Authorities noted that at least one of the subjects might have been armed, prompting the heightened security response.

Ongoing Investigations

As of now, the Joplin Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident. Charges against both Trease and Gillis are expected to be filed, including resisting arrest, no valid driver’s license, and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. The case remains under active review, with further details expected as the investigation progresses.