Carthage Aldi Armed Robbery, pair face Felony charges

Marvin Ward and Betty Lou Plopper (L-R), courtesy Carthage Police Dept. via Jasper County Jail.

Marvin Ward and Betty Lou Plopper were located two blocks away from Aldi, checked in at the Carthage Inn.

CARTHAGE, Mo. (KOAM/KJFX) — Carthage Police had the suspects of a grocery store armed robbery in custody two hours after the crime on Monday evening, May 18, 2026.

CARTHAGE, Mo. (KOAM/KJFX) — About 7:40 p.m. Monday night a male entered the Aldi store at 24…

Investigators say Marvin Ward, 39, of Webb City, Mo. entered Adli, 2442 S. Grand Ave, while workers and shoppers were in the store, brandished a firearm and left on foot with $2,100 cash.

At the exact same time Betty Lou Plopper, 25, of Carthage, Mo. made a 911 call claiming a bank was being robbed on the other side of town. Officers located the call in her cell phone she allowed them to search.

Shortly after the Robbery the pair checked into the Carthage Inn, 2244 S. Grand Ave, two blocks away.

The Jasper County Special Operations Team/SWAT were activated and police located them there in a room.

Aldi Carthage can be seen from the Carthage Inn just two blocks away.

After they were arrested a search warrant for the room was obtained, revealing more evidence including a firearm with the serial number filed away.

They are facing the following allegations:

Marvin Ward, courtesy Carthage Police Dept. via Jasper County Jail.

WARDFelony Armed Robbery 1stUnlawful Use of a WeaponUnlawful Possession of a WeaponArmed Criminal ActionTampering with EvidencePossession of a Defaced Firearm

He is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.

Betty Lou Plopper, courtesy Carthage Police Dept. via Jasper County Jail.

PLOPPERFelony Armed Robbery 1st Making a false report/Abuse of 911Conspiracy to Commit FelonyHindering Prosecution of a Felony

She is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond.

PC AFFIDAVIT Betty Plopper ALDI Carthage 05-18-26

This is a breaking news story we will continue to follow here on KOAM News Now, Joplin News First.

PC AFFIDAVIT Marvin Ward ALDI Carthage 05-18-26

Carthage Aldi Armed Robbery, pair face Felony charges | Crime

Tags: