Three arrested for armed robbery at Poplar Bluff hotel

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities arrested three men during a traffic stop outside Dexter, Mo., this morning who they believe are responsible for robbing another man at gunpoint at the Poplar Bluff Pear Tree Inn.

"At approximately 9:05 [a.m.], we received a call from the Pear Tree Inn desk clerk, who stated a male victim had been robbed," said Poplar Bluff Police Detective Leigh Raymer, who thinks the victim may have been a hotel guest. "The victim stated he was robbed at gunpoint by a male subject, who took his cash, cell phone and a. 45-caliber pistol."

The victim and witnesses at the scene told officers the suspect fled in a black sport utility vehicle, Raymer said.

"A short time later, the [Missouri State] Highway Patrol and Dexter Police Department conducted a traffic stop one-half mile west of Dexter in Stoddard County" on a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle, Raymer said.

She said the officers "apprehended and detained three male subjects. ... They are in custody."

Just after 9:35 a.m., Poplar Bluff police chief Danny Whiteley reported he and Lt. Ed DeGaris were en route to Dexter to bring the suspects back to Poplar Bluff.

Raymer said the SUV also will be brought back to Poplar Bluff for processing as officers continue the investigation.

She said the victim suffered minor injuries in the robbery, but did not seek medical treatment.