NEOSHO, Mo. – A judge sentences Skylar Gage Wyrick, of Joplin, to ten years in prison for armed robbery.

Wyrick pleaded guilty and Judge Kevin Selby sentenced him for Robbery in the Second Degree. The courts dismissed one count of Armed Criminal Action.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the arresting officer, Wyrick was with the victim of the robbery at the Downstream Q-Store in Newton County on May 3, 2020 when Wyrick entered the driver’s side of the victim’s 2003 Chevy Silverado, in which the two had arrived at the location.

The victim got into the truck, demanding Wyrick to stop. The victim claims the defendant then pulled a knife out and started kicking the victim until he got out of the truck.

Officers found Wyrick in possession of the stolen truck in north Joplin on the same day but located no knife.

“Today’s plea is reminder that our office and local law enforcement are both committed to keeping crime victims safe, making those crime victims whole, and holding individuals responsible for the crimes they commit,” said Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch.

Detective Veronica Bailey, Officer Darrin Bentley, and Officer Jeffrey Flener of the Joplin Police department investigated the case. William Lynch and J.D. Hatcher of the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuted the case.