Joplin man arrested for kidnapping, resisting arrest

A man from Joplin now faces a slew of charges after an alleged kidnapping over the weekend. Read the full report from Joplin Police below:

On December 4th, 2021, officers responded to the area of 8th and Sergeant Avenue in Joplin for a report of unknown trouble. While on scene, officers learned an adult male victim may have been unwillingly forced to leave with a suspect who was driving a Honda sedan.

It was later learned that the victim was in the backseat of the vehicle and was being held at gunpoint by the suspect. The suspect also took the victims cell phone and refused to allow the victim to exit the vehicle as it fled the area.

Officers located the suspect vehicle near 7th and Central City Road a short time later. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but it fled from officers.

The victim was left at 7th and Central City Road and was contacted and found to be unharmed. Officers continued the pursuit of the suspect vehicle, which came to a stop near 7th and Highland Avenue.

The driver fled on foot, but was apprehended by officers shortly thereafter and taken into custody. Inside the vehicle officers located a 20 gauge shotgun.

The suspect was identified as Benjamin E. Bartlett, age 21, of Joplin. Bartlett had two active felony warrants for his arrest out of Jasper County and was also charged with Kidnapping in the 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, and Armed Criminal Action.

A no bond warrant was issued for Bartlett and he remains in custody in the Joplin City Jail.