Police pursuit ends on the banks of Turkey Creek in Royal Heights, man faces multiple Felony charges

JOPLIN, Mo. – Saturday evening we were on the scene of a police pursuit through Joplin, Duquesne and Jasper County that ended on the banks of Turkey Creek as the stolen pickup truck crashed into a tree and the male suspect was taken into custody by Joplin Police.

Capt William Davis updates information as multiple Felony charges are filed by the Jasper County Prosecutor’s office.

Marc Anthony Thomas, 27, of Joplin was arrested and now charged:

  • Felony Domestic Assault – 2nd (2X)
  • Domestic Assault – 4th
  • Felony Tampering with a Motor Vehicle
  • Felony Resisting Arrest (Fleeing)
  • DWI

Capt Davis tells us the incidents related to Thompson began about 4:30 p.m. on Satuday, April 9, officers were called to a residence, 2512 New Hampshire where two elderly residents were assaulted and their pickup was stolen. The two reported the young man living with them had come home under the influence and physically assaulted them both and took their 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup.

Thomas forced his way into a bedroom and struck an elderly female in the face, leaving a large, swollen bruise below her eye. Thomas then shoved the elderly male to the ground, causing him to strike his head on the floor. This left a large, swollen bruise on the back of his head. Thomas then got on top of the victim and began choking him, causing the victim to vomit. Thomas then stole keys to the victims vehicle and fled the area.” – JPD Press Release

It’s unknown if the two sought medical treatment at a hospital.

Fast forward to later that night about 10:30 p.m. reports from individuals at Walmart, 1501 S Rangeline, that a red pickup truck was continually, “driving around the lot, honking the horn, being annoying, with no lights on.”

Officers responded and came into contact with the red pickup nearby at 20th and S Ozark Ave.

PURSUIT ENDED ON THE SOUTHERN BANK OF TURKEY CREEK NEAR EAST JACCARD IN A WOODED AREA.

From there the vehicle fled officers taking this path roughly:

  • East on 20th Street to Duquesne
  • North on Duquesne to Newman
  • East on Newman to 249, attempted to go the wrong way up a ramp, turned back west on Newman
  • Officers spiked tires of the truck at Newman and Rangeline
  • Truck continued westbound on Newman, past Florida Ave to a dead end, then north through unpaved paths, crashing into a tree on the south bank of Turkey Creek

Capt Davis said after Thomas crashed the truck, he fled on foot a short distance across Turkey Creek where he was tazed, then taken into custody.

Numerous Joplin Police vehicles, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Jasper County Deputies were on the scene at the end of the pursuit.

Thomas was cleared by medical staff and transported to the Joplin City Jail. He will face charges in Jasper County Court.

Charges were filed Monday, and Tuesday morning he was served the arrest warrant while in jail. No bond is set at this time however he is to have no contact with the two individuals he allegedly assaulted.

We anticipate an formal press release Tuesday from the Joplin Police Department to all media.

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.

Missing person case becomes a death investigation in Blendville Neighborhood of Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. — Thursday afternoon Capt William Davis tells us a current missing person investigation brought them to a residence in the Blendville Neighborhood of Joplin, 2201 S Jackson.

He tells us on scene that they have located the missing person inside the residence here, deceased.  No names are being released at this time.

Capt Davis tells us they are actively seeking a person of interest.

Just before 6 p.m. Capt Davis released an official statement to the media:

On March 30th, 2022 the Joplin Police Department received a report of a missing person and
initiated an investigation. On the afternoon of March 31st, 2022, the missing person was located
deceased at a residence at 2201 S. Jackson Avenue in Joplin. Detectives with the Joplin Police
Department are actively conducting a death investigation. At this time, no information regarding
the identity of the victim is being release until next of kin notifications are made. Detectives are
actively looing to speak with a person of interest in the matter. No information on that person is
being released at this time. No comment is being made on the cause of the death.” – JPD

They ask if anyone has any information regarding this incident to please contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131.

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.

Man wanted on Burglary Warrant runs from cops on bicycle, now arrested

JOPLIN, Mo. — Sunday evening Joplin Police flooded the 800 block of S Sergeant with lights as they executed a contain-and-call-out at a residence.

Sgt Clay Collard tells us one of his officers on patrol spotted a man on a bicycle with a Burglary Warrant. As he went to stop him the man on the bike fled to a residence, 815 S Sergeant.

“He ran inside the house so we knew he was in there,” Sgt Collard tells us as they had immediately surrounded the residence.

They executed a contain-and-call-out with a bullhorn telling all occupants to exit the house.

Sgt Collard tells us after a short time the wanted man exited and he was taken into custody.

Additionally he says a second male exited and gave officers a false name. After his actual name was revealed, they discovered he had multiple warrants for arrest. He was also taken into custody.

No one was injured.

This is a breaking news story. We will update with more information as it is released by authorities.

Joplin Police seek assistance identifying man in armed robbery

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Police Department release information on regarding an Armed Robbery on Thursday afternoon.  In doing so they are seeking any information the public might have to assist their case.

On February 17th, 2022 at 5:33 pm the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of an armed robbery that just occurred at The Corner convenience store located at 2300 S. Maiden Lane in Joplin.

The suspect entered the store and requested merchandise, then displayed a handgun and demanded the store employee give him cash from the register.

The suspect fled the store with the merchandise and an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen going northbound on foot.

The store employee was not physically harmed during the incident.

  • SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:
  • adult male
  • dark skin complexion
  • black coat,
  • jeans
  • bandana over his face

The Joplin Police Department asks that anyone with any information on this incident please contacts Detective Jason Francis at 417-623-3131 x1640.

Stay with Joplin News First and KOAM News Now for breaking news and important stories where you live.

Sinkhole forms in Joplin’s Landreth Park

JOPLIN, Mo. — A sinkhole opens in Landreth Park in Joplin, Missouri.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon Joplin Police and Joplin Public Works were notified of a sinkhole forming in the northwest corner of Landreth Park.

Joplin Police responded and secured the area. They tell us on scene the hole appears to be about 25 feet deep at this time. Water is in the bottom of the hole.  It is about 8-10 feet across.

About 2:15 p.m. Joplin Public Works arrived and fenced the area to keep the public back from edges as the hole could continue to grow.

Even while the Joplin Public Works crew were preparing to put up the temporary fence you could hear pieces of the sinkhole wall splashing down to the water below.

City officials are working on a plan now. They ask you avoid the area. It is now secured behind a fence for the public safety.

This is a developing news story. Stay with KOAM NEWS NOW as we continue to learn more.

Driver cited DWI in crash as pickup flipped Sunday in front of mall

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin Police Capt William Davis updates information regarding the crash that involved four vehicles Sunday afternoon on N Rangeline and Mall Road in front of the Northpark Mall.  

He says the 25-year-old driver of the pickup, Andrew Reed, was cited for DWI during the investigation following the crash.  He will be required to appear in Joplin City Court to face the charge(s).

Reed was being treated at a Joplin hospital after the collision where his 2021 Ford Ranger overturned.

A second vehicle t-boned by the pickup in the crash was totaled. That driver was transported to an area hospital suffering non-life threatening injuries. 

Two additional vehicles sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene, not requiring a tow.

This is a developing news story. Stay with Joplin News First KOAM News Now for updates.

Join the Community Action Group: Joplin Area Stolen Items

“Near 25th street and took off past Taco Bell after, keep your eyes peeled.”  — Contact Joplin Police

JOPLIN, Mo. The Joplin Area Stolen Items page exists to make the sale of stolen items as difficult as possible, also to assist police in the recovery of stolen items.

By sharing posts it enables the community to do the work identifying individuals or locating items.

GUIDELINES FOR POSTING

  • EVERY POST MUST HAVE A PICTURE OR VIDEO
  • WHAT was stolen
  • WHERE it was stolen from
  • WHAT occurred when stolen
  • WHAT police dept have you reported
  • PHOTO If you don’t have a pic of what was stolen, google image search, something that looks similar, post that and say, it looks similar to … This group is a community action group created and sponsored by @JoplinNewsFirst

The stolen item needs to be reported to a police agency before they are posted in the group.

Do you have security footage? Please post footage/pics.

UPDATES: If something is recovered or there are updates on your items stolen please update our original post in a timely manner.

Joplin Police K9 apprehends construction site Burglary suspect

JOPLIN, Mo. — Thursday night about 11:00 pm a Joplin Police patrolman located a suspicious vehicle, unoccupied and parked near a residential construction site near Coyote Drive and Concord Ln in Joplin.

The officer checked the construction site and ascertained that there was someone inside the residence actively moving and going through items. Additional back up officers arrived to assist.

As officers were about to make contact, the suspect exited out of window. Officers gave the suspect commands to stop, however he attempted to flee on foot towards his vehicle. The suspect was apprehended by a Joplin Police K-9 and was taken into custody.” — Capt William Davis

The suspect identified as Daniel B. Banks, 36, of Joplin. Banks was found to have a backpack and several items in his possession that are commonly associated with burglary tools.

Banks was taken to a local hospital for treatment to his injuries from the K9 apprehension and then transported to the Joplin City Jail.

The Newton County Prosecutors Office has filed charges against Banks:

  • Burglary 2nd Degree
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Possession of Burglary Tools
  • Bond set at $3,500

We will update this article with additional information as it released by authorities.

Joplin man arrested and connected to area burglaries and break ins

JOPLIN, Mo. — Capt William Davis of Joplin Police Dept releases details regarding a recent arrest that detectives have connected to one man. The suspect is identified as Adam G. Gustafson, age 38 of Joplin, is facing charges in Newton County regarding the following incidents:

  • January 11th, 2022- Burglary at the Fairfield Inn at 3301 S. Rangeline Road where tools were stolen.
  • January 11th, 2022- Burglary at the Oxford Apartments at 3320 S. Texas Avenue where cameras were stolen.
  • January 12th, 2022- Burglary at Silvercreek Senior Living at 3325 S. Texas Avenue where a generator and tools were stolen.
  • January 12th, 2022 officers with the Joplin Police Department were called to Cracker Barrel at 4010 S. Richard Joseph Blvd for a report of a found item. An employee had located a safe behind the business that did not belong to the restaurant.

On the final crime in this list on January 12, officers were were able to make contact with employees at Towne Home Suites at 4026 S. Arizona Avenue and learned the safe had been stolen from the hotel during an unreported burglary.

There were also miscellaneous tools and hotel keys stolen. As officers continued their investigation, they learned a suspect was trespassing in one of the hotel rooms and was detained. While there, officers located items in the hotel room that were stolen during the burglary.

Officers received information that the suspect, Gustafson, also may be in possession of a stolen vehicle. Upon checking the hotel parking lot, officers located a stolen 2016 Hyundai Tucson, which was stolen during a burglary at 2831 E. 19th Street in Joplin on December 19, 2021. The vehicle also had license plates displayed that were reported stolen out of Webb City, Missouri.

Additionally, Gustafson was captured on surveillance video during one of the burglary incidents and was still in possession of the same clothing worn during the theft.

Gustafson was transported to the Joplin City Jail and charges were filed by the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney for Burglary in the 1st Degree and Receiving Stolen Property. Gustafson is currently being held without bail.

Additional charges for Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Tampering in the 1st Degree and Stealing have also been submitted.

Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are continuing to follow up on these investigations and further updates may be released as they become available.

Gustafson also has pending charges in McDonald County regarding a police pursuit and recovery of a stolen vehicle on January 10, 2022.  Goodman Police Dept released details regarding that pursuit on January 10, 2022, in a release of information:

On 01/10/2022 at approximately 10am, an officer with the Goodman Police department received a call in reference to a possible disturbance. Goodman PD was able to locate the suspect vehicle behind Redneck Cafe. Just before making contact, the vehicle left the parking lot at a high rate of speed. The officer conducted a traffic stop for a registration violation. As the officer approached the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed northbound on Highway 59. The officer gave chase pursuing the suspect vehicle. The vehicle fled at a very high rate of speed, traveling north bound in the south bound lane. The suspect turned onto a side street and the officer lost sight of the vehicle. The officer was able to locate the vehicle hidden underneath a tarp. The suspect was unable to be located. After the investigation was completed, the 2022 Hyundai Tuscan was confirmed stolen from Frank Fletcher in Joplin. The suspects information was also acquired during the investigation. Formal felony charges have been sent to the McDonald County Prosecutors Office. We would like to thank Anderson Police Department, Neosho Police Department, Newton County Sheriffs Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol for their assistance!” – Goodman Police Dept

Car overturns in crash at Zora and Duquesne

JOPLIN, Mo. — About 10:40 a.m. Joplin Police Dispatch were alerted to reports of a crash at Zora and Duquesne.

Joplin Fire, Joplin Police, METS and Webb City authorities responded.

On scene Traffic Ofc Corey Waters tells us it was a single vehicle crash. One female was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

MoDOT Emergency response assisted closing down the roadway as the vehicle was removed by Comers Wrecker.

We will update this article with additional information as it becomes available from authorities.