Two arrested after traffic stop turned into a standoff in Joplin

Two men were taken into custody after a traffic stop turned into a nearly two hour standoff in Joplin Wednesday afternoon.

Joplin Police say it all began around 1:11 pm, when an officer recognized a wanted individual in the Lowe’s parking lot.

30-year-old Mark Trease of Carthage fled the lot after an officer attempted to contact him.

Trease then drove one block away and stopped in the parking lot of Pinnacle Bank at 24th and Range Line Road.

Trease again refused to comply with officers and remained in the pickup truck. Officers were able to see a second person inside the vehicle, and he also refused to cooperate with officers. Additional officers were summoned to the scene to assist.

Trease and his passenger, later identified as 32-year-old Sean Gillis, of Webb City, continued to defy officers commands.

When more officers got to the scene, Trease eventually complied and was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities then learned that Gillis was armed with a handgun as he continued to refuse to cooperate with officers.

Police Captain Austin Wolf says due to the active fleeing, refusal to cooperate with officers, the incident being in a heavily populated area with local patrons and businesses, and the fact that the passenger was armed with a gun, Joplin Police Department S.W.A.T. was called to the scene.

After S.W.A.T. arrived, Gillis eventually complied and was taken into custody without incident.

Trease, was arrested on four outstanding warrants for traffic violations and two warrants for resisting arrest from Carthage. Trease was also arrested on two bench warrants for obstruction from the City of Joplin. Charges were submitted on Trease for resisting arrest, no valid driver license, and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Gillis was arrested for resisting arrest and compliance with the officer for information.