Sikeston man charged in armed robbery now in custody

Joshua T. Kerr

SIKESTON — A Sikeston man facing armed robbery and burglary charges is in police custody.

Joshua Thomas Kerr, 39, is charged with first degree armed robbery, first degree burglary, kidnapping and stealing, according to Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

At 7:27 a.m. Monday officers with Sikeston DPS responded to Dollar General, located at 917 S. Kingshighway, in reference to an armed robbery.

“The store clerk arrived to open the store to begin the day’s business and parked their vehicle in front of the building and entered the store,” said Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer with DPS. “Once the clerk completed the opening process, they planned on parking their vehicle and unlocking the store to begin the day.”

However, after the clerk moved their vehicle, they were confronted by a white male who ran toward them from behind the ice machine near the entrance to the store. The clerk struggled with the suspect over the door, but he was able to make his way inside, Broom said.

“Once inside, the suspect he produced a handgun and demanded cash. The suspect left with an undermined amount of cash,”

At about 3 p.m. Wednesday Sikeston DPS detectives arrested Kerr.

Kerr remains in custody and currently has no bond as he awaits arraignment in a New Madrid County Court.