Matthews man pleads guilty to robbing local truck stop

NEW MADRID - A New Madrid County man could spend the next 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to robbing a local truck stop.

Jacob Patrick of Matthews entered his guilty plea to first degree robbery Tuesday before Judge Fred Copeland for robbing the Love's Truck Stop at Matthews on April 30. According to the probable cause statement, Patrick, who was armed with a handgun, demanded money from the cashier, who handed over the cash drawer which contained approximately $1,950. Patrick then ran from the business across the highway to the Flying J Truck Stop.

Matthews Police Officer Anthony Comstock said in the probable cause statement that the the robbery was recorded on the video surveillance at the truck stop and Patrick was also video at another truck stop, where a waitress identified Patrick. She told the officer he had attempted to get a ride from some subjects leaving the restaurant, offering them $300, however they refused.

On May 1, law enforcement received information on Patrick's whereabouts and Comstock along with two New Madrid County deputies took him in custody.

"When we arrested Patrick he asked why he was being arrested he was told for armed robbery. Jacob then said, 'I did it.'" Comstock wrote in the probable cause statement.

Patrick also informed the officers that he had disposed of the gun in a wooded area in front of the Flying J Truck Stop.

New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson noted first degree robbery requires that Patrick serve a mandatory minimum of 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.

Lawson went on to praise the work by both the Matthews Police and the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department on the case.

"The New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and the Matthews Police Department did a fantastic job investigating this case and I feel like the community should be made aware of their great work," he said.