Two Gassville residents have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a Cotter liquor store Wednesday night. In a joint statement, Cotter Police Chief Clint Tilton and Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery say 34 year old Joshua Travis Cooper is being held in the Baxter County jail charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine with intent to deliver; felony possession of a controlled substance and firearms; felony possession of a firearm as a felon and a felony probation violation from Colorado. His bond has been set at $250,000.
Arrested with Cooper was 25 year old Alexandria Maria Rodriguez, who faces felony charges of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, with intent to deliver; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is also being held in the Baxter County jail with bond set at $60,000.
According to the sheriff and police chief, the investigation began two minutes after the 9:34 p.m. robbery at Bayman Beverage Store on U. S. Highway 62 in Cotter. The male suspect, who was caught on surveillance video, walked into the store brandishing a handgun, demanded money and cigarettes, and then fled the store on foot. Officers from the Gassville Police Department and Baxter County Sheriff’s Offices secured the area and determined $600 in cash and several packages of cigarettes were taken from the store. Off duty officers from the sheriff’s department, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s office and the Tracking Dog Team from the Calico Rock Prison came to the scene to assist in the search which was called off at 2:15 Thursday morning.
Later Thursday, investigators from Cotter, Gassville, Marion and Baxter Counties followed up on numerous tips and leads to develop a possible suspect vehicle which was spotted shortly after 2 p.m. on State Highway 101 in the Gamaliel area where Baxter County Investigators initiated a traffic stop on County Road 806. The two occupants were taken into custody and the vehicle was seized for processing.
A search warrant was obtained and executed on the vehicle where numerous items, believed to be related to the robbery, were recovered including a quantity of meth; cigarettes matching the brand and tax stamps of the store; cash and clothing believe to match what the suspect in the video during the robbery. A chrome plated, 9 mm handgun was also recovered in a purse belonging to Rodriguez.
Chief Tilton and Sheriff Montgomery say the investigation in continuing and more charges related to other crimes are probable.