Two arrested after reported home invasion at gunpoint in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Two Poplar Bluff men were in jail Friday after allegedly forcing their way into a local home Thursday night at gunpoint and stealing cash, a gaming system and television.

Eddie Lee Holmes, 23, and Davion J. Thompson, 21, were arrested at 3 a.m. Friday at Holmes' residence on suspicion of first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Holmes also was arrested on two Boone County, Mo., warrants for robbery and unlawful use of a weapon.

The men are accused in connection with an alleged home invasion, which occurred just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence in the 900 block of Maud Street.

The home's occupant, Mark Hicks Jr., told Poplar Bluff police patrolman Steve Nance that he and Stacie Kemp heard a knock at the front door.

When Hicks looked out the window to see who was at the front door, two men "kicked in the front door and entered the residence," Nance said in his report.

One, according to Hicks' statement, was wearing a black hoodie and a black ski mask.

"(Hicks) could see it was a black male, and he had dreadlocks, with gold tips, coming from under the mask," Nance said.

Due to his dreadlocks, Nance said, Hicks identified the man as "Eddie."

The second man was described as being heavy set and was wearing jeans, as well as a black and red shirt. Since he was not wearing a mask, Hicks was able to identify him as "Davion," Nance said.

Hicks reported Holmes pointed a pistol at him and "made threats to shoot him if he didn't empty his pockets," Nance said. "(Hicks) had $40 in his jeans pocket, which he gave (Holmes)."

Holmes allegedly then "dragged" Hicks upstairs, where he took an Xbox 360 Kinect and a television, Nance said. "(Holmes) forced him back down the hallway, then ran out the back door, as Davion ran out the front door."

Hicks reported Holmes and Thompson got in what he described as a white/gray Chrysler Concord, which was parked in an alley, and fled westbound toward 10th Street.

Nance said Kemp provided an account similar to Hicks.

The vehicle and suspect descriptions, he said, were relayed to other officers and about two hours later, patrolman James Henry located a similar vehicle -- a white and silver Chrysler Sebring -- parked near a residence in the 2200 block of Wood Street.

When Henry approached the residence, according to his report, he "noticed a black male lying on the couch, who appeared to be sleeping" and resembled the heavier set suspect.

Henry said he knocked several times, but the man did not move.

After several knocks, Henry said, Alexis Glaze answered the door and didn't respond when asked if Thompson was there.

Glaze, Henry said, denied the officers entrance into her home without a search warrant.

Officers, Henry said, entered the home to prevent what he described as the destruction of evidence and secured everyone, including Holmes and Thompson, pending the arrival of a search warrant.

During the execution of the search warrant on the home and vehicle, Cpl. Richard Knapp reported officers did not find the suspected weapon or stolen television; however, suspected marijuana was found in a kitchen broom closet.

Holmes and Thompson were arrested. After being told of his rights, Thompson agreed to an interview with detective Jason Morgan.

During that interview, Nance said, Thompson admitted he and Holmes went to the Maud Street residence, where "he kicked in the door, and Holmes pulled a black pistol and began pointing it at the subjects in the residence and making threats to them."

Thompson also reported they stole the Xbox 360 and television before leaving.

Thompson, Nance said, agreed to show him where he had thrown the gaming system "as he was running from the residence."

Nance said the Xbox, as well as controllers and connection cord, were found in a back yard near the Hicks/Kemp residence.

Holmes and Thompson were booked at the Butler County jail.

"Because of the excellent work of our patrol officers and (Criminal Investigation Bureau), the suspects were quickly apprehended to protect other citizens from having something like this happen," said police chief Danny Whiteley. "When you've got people running around, breaking into houses with guns, they need to be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"We're just glad no one got hurt during this home invasion by a couple of idiots."

Pertinent address:

Maud Street, Poplar Bluff, MO