Report of burglary in progress leads to arrest

A Poplar Bluff man may face a weapons-related charge after authorities responded Saturday to a report of a possible burglary in progress.

At about 10:50 a.m., Poplar Bluff Police officers were sent to the area of the 1000 block of Ash Street, Lt. Keith Hefner said in a press release.

A Black male, later identified as Sylnario Terrell Jones, was on the “front porch of the secondary residence to the southeast of the main residence,” Hefner said. “Communications advised the Black male was wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and was carrying a black bag.”

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley (left) holds the door open as Patrolman Jeremy Elless leads Sylnario Jones into the police station after his arrest Saturday morning.Photo provided

Jones, Hefner said, traveled across Highway 53 to Ash Street and then down Cross Street.

“The resident of Ash Street was contacted by phone by the original reporting party and stated he had just left his residence and was also in the area looking for the suspect,” Hefner said. “ The resident stated he located Jones around Henry Street and Karen Drive, where he got out of his truck to confront Jones.

“He said as he walked towards Jones, Jones pulled out a pistol and pointed it at him.”

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley (left) holds the door open as Patrolman Jeremy Elless leads Sylnario Jones into the police station after his arrest Saturday morning.Photo provided

At that point, Jones allegedly ran back south toward Highway 53, where, Hefner said, the resident watched Jones get into a black car.

Hefner said Patrolman Jeremy Elless located and contacted the occupants of a black Lincoln at Rick’s 66.

The car’s occupants, Hefner said, reported they had given a Black male, matching the suspect’s description, a ride from Woods Street to Rick’s 66.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley (left) holds the door open as Patrolman Jeremy Elless leads Sylnario Jones into the police station after his arrest Saturday morning.Photo provided

“The male subject stated he needed to get away from someone, or the area, and left walking from Rick’s 66 station,” Hefner said.

Jones reportedly later was located hiding behind a trash can in Whiteley Park.”

“A perimeter was set up to contain the suspect until additional units arrived to assist in the apprehension,” Hefner said. “While observing the suspect hiding, he was observed removing a dark-colored item from his waistband and placing it into the trash can.”

Hefner said Jones, 26, who listed an Iowa Street address, was taken into custody at gunpoint without incident.

A 9mm handgun was recovered from the trash can and seized as evidence, Hefner said.

Jones was booked at the Butler County jail on a warrant for possession of a weapon through the U.S. Marshal’s Service, a Jackson County failure to appear warrant for sexual assault and on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm.