A news magazine that features crime stories, arrest reports, active warrants and court logs from Joplin,MO.
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UPDATE: Located safe. Thank you to all who shared.
MISSING SINCE FRIDAY
According to family, this is completely out of character for Bradley. He left the hospital without any of his personal items. Please contact Joplin Police Department with any information at 417 623 3131,
JOPLIN, Mo. — A Joplin police officer is in stable condition after a fleeing suspect struck him with a vehicle, this afternoon (Sunday). Corporal Tim Hudson of the Joplin Police Department tells us…
Sarah was not reported missing by her mother to police until July 20, 2018.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Sarah Burton, please contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131, the Missouri State Highway Patrol or the FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
Press Release: Shooting Investigation- 502 S. Joplin Avenue
Date: August 20th, 2023
On August 20th, 2023, officers with the Joplin Police Department were conducting a directed patrol downtown near the bar district. At 1:11 a.m. officers heard a gunshot that appeared to have originated from the area of 5th and Joplin Avenue. Officers immediately responded and located an adult male with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Officers began rendering life-saving medical aid while also dealing with a large crowd. Other officers began searching the area for the suspect but were unable to locate anyone. Members from the Joplin Fire Department and METS Ambulance Service arrived shortly thereafter and took over medical aid and transported the victim to a local hospital. He is currently listed in stable condition. It was determined the shooting happened outside of Club XO at 502 S. Joplin Avenue. Detectives with the Joplin Police Department responded and are actively investigating this incident. The Joplin Police Department asks that if you have any information that could lead to the identity and arrest of the suspect in this case to please contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131. Further details may be released as the investigation continues.
Photo Credit: Shannon Becker (Joplin News First/KOAM News Now)
Press Release: Armed Robbery 08-18-23
Date: August 18th, 2023
On August 18th, 2023, at 10:13 a.m. the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received numerous 911 reports of a disturbance with shots being fired at the Super 7 Motel located at 3031 S. Rangeline Road. Initial reports indicated there was an exchange of gunfire between two individuals at this location. The suspects in this incident fled the scene prior to officers arriving. After officers did arrive on scene shortly thereafter, they determined there were no injuries but did find evidence of the gunshots that were reported. Officers searched the area and located one suspect and were able to detain him without incident. During the initial investigation, it was found that the victim, and adult male, was in one of the rooms at this location with a female. At one point there was an altercation with other male suspects that resulted in the suspects stealing property from the victim at gunpoint. Immediately following the robbery, there was an exchange of gunfire between the victim and at least one suspect. The one suspect who was detained nearby has been identified as Joshua J. Gauerke, age 44, and is reported as being homeless. Gauerke was arrested on charges of Robbery in the 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Felony in Possession of a Firearm. Charges are being submitted to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A mugshot of Gauerke is attached to this release. This investigation is ongoing and further information may be released it develops. If anyone has information regarding this incident, we encouraged them to please contact Detective Corporal Rusty Comer at 417-623-3131 x1637 or [email protected].
The Disappearance of Sarah Burton
Most everyone reading this are familiar with the names Natalee Holloway, Gabby Petito and Laci Peterson. These tragic cases kept millions tuned into news and social media accounts of their horrible disappearances. We mourn for those ladies, as well as their family and friends. Their names, and who they were, should never be forgotten.
For every Gabby Petito, there are hundreds, if not thousands of names attached to lives that are all but forgotten. Most have never received any sort of national news coverage, or have their stories shared far and wide on social media. Shawn Gallagher, Tracy Pickett and Sandra Spoon, are just a few of the people that have gone missing in Joplin, Missouri. Just a few miles from Joplin, across the border in Grove, Oklahoma, Aubrey Dameron is still missing.
Five years ago, today, Sarah Burton went missing in Joplin. Five years with little to any developments in her case. It was days before anyone would report her missing.
In a past conversation with the FBI agent assigned to Sarah Burton's case, we learned that a few weeks prior to our conversation, there had been another location searched regarding Sarah's disappearance. At this location, areas of concrete were demolished at the undisclosed spot. That search was based on leads still “trickling into investigators.”
The trickling needs to stop.
There are dozens of people who either have direct knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Sarah's abduction or hold a piece of information that can bring Sarah home where she belongs.
Over the past four years, we have conducted dozens of interviews, some with first hand knowledge of several of the circumstances regarding Sarah’s disappearance, we have visited multiple locations (some while undercover posing as everything from plumbers to potential home buyers), have accumulated dozens of recordings, and viewed video and photographic materials.
Based on these interviews, and other evidence, we feel we have a pretty accurate idea as to what happened to Sarah following her abduction. We have only shared a minute portion of the information in this post.
Every one of our sources will remain anonymous and confidential for their personal privacy. Each one of them must make their own decision whether or not to share what they know with law enforcement.
Additionally, the names of suspects, and other people with direct knowledge or involvement in Sarah’s disappearance that we have been provided with, will also remain anonymous and confidential, as all of these individuals are presumed innocent of any involvement, unless otherwise determined in a court of law.
During the course of our investigation, we have encountered various individuals who have attempted to disparage our efforts. Some of these individuals are people who one would think would want to find out what happened to Sarah. Our response was to become more covert, but we have never given up.
We have visited with Lorene Bible, who searched for the answers to her daughter Lauria and her friend, Ashley Freeman’s disappearance from Welch, Oklahoma, relentlessly for decades. In our opinion, that woman is a warrior.
July 16, 2018
On July 16, 2018, 28-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Burton, and another individual were headed to the Riverton, Kansas area. Their destination was an adult video store, where Sarah had hoped to conduct a business transaction involving the selling of stolen meat, according to our source.
Prior to reaching their destination, Sarah received a call on her cell, and for reasons that remain unclear, turned around and headed back to Joplin. The individual driving Sarah to Riverton overheard some of the call, where the caller called Sarah a snitch multiple times. This information was obtained from the individual taking Sarah to Riverton.
This much is known for certain, several eyewitnesses claim to have seen Sarah near the area of 10th and Rex Street in Joplin. This has been verified by multiple sources, including a Joplin Police Department report regarding a disturbance at the location. According to our sources, Sarah left the area of 10th and Rex with a friend, and a couple of other individuals. After her disappearance, the friend was in possession of Sarah’s cell. That individual allegedly gave the cell to members of Sarah’s family, and has since moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
There was also a report of Sarah being in the vicinity of “A” and Joplin Avenue., as well as a house on 3rd and Connor in Joplin. It remains unclear as to which location Sarah was at last, because those individuals who are willing to speak, also desire to remain anonymous. From that point on, Sarah’s final destination remains clouded in mystery and rumors.
RUMORS
As in all cases of this nature, rumors fly, and Sarah’s case is certainly no exception. Oftentimes, the truth becomes intertwined with the rumors and muddies up the efforts to bring justice to the victims and their families. The conviction of Ronnie Busick in the murders of Ashley Freeman and her parents, along with the murder of Lauria Bible demonstrates that “rumors” often time turn out to be true. In that case, it took 20 years to even come close to closure for the family. That was 20 years too long.
For over four years, we have been following Sarah’s case. We have conducted dozens of interviews with folks who desire to and will remain anonymous in any of our reports. We believe it is our duty to protect our source’s confidentiality, while at the same time, standing by every word of this story. During our conversations, emails, and even comments made on posts regarding Sarah, it has become clear that many rumors get repeated, and new ones pop up daily. More than once, someone has commented on a post regarding Sarah with some version of, “everyone knows who did it.” The rumors regarding Sarah are all over the map, and include:
(WARNING: Some of these may be unpleasant to read)
“She was kidnapped and sold into human trafficking” (That was an early rumor)
“She just decided to disappear and start a new life”
“She was killed because she owed money to the Joplin Honkies or the Mexican Mafia”
“She was only going to be roughed up, but things went south”
“She went into Witness Protection”
“She was killed, and her body was dismembered and put into 3 separate bodies of water” (sometimes it’s just 1 body of water)
“She was killed in a basement on Connor Avenue”
“She was killed and her body put into Grand Lake, or another body of water near Grove, OK”
"She was taken to a home known as "Hell House" on HH Highway near Neosho, MO. and killed, with her body being burned in a fire-pit."
"A Joplin H***y admitted to another offender in the Jasper County Jail that he had killed Sarah and as a result, received his Joplin H***y" patch."
“This is a photo of Sarah while she was being held captive” (We have seen the photo)
AGAIN, these are ALL rumors and are not to be taken as any sort of evidence, or anything other than rumors. Not certain how much clearer that point can be made, but nothing in this story is meant to make any sort of accusation, or imply guilt upon any individual or entity.
However, with all rumors, the truth may be caught somewhere in the mix.
WHY NO CHARGES?
This question seems to confound a lot of people, and sadly, the answer is quite simple. Sarah was 28 years old when she went missing. In other words, an adult. It is not a crime for an adult to decide to up and move, and they are not legally required to keep in contact with family or friends. Sadly, this happens a lot. In Sarah’s case, there is no evidence that a crime was committed. They even have potential suspects in custody on other charges, but still, they need some sort of probable cause. Rumors alone don't cut it.
In short, the police need some sort of evidence or at least a reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred before they can launch a significant investigation. The Joplin Police have investigated Sarah’s case within the parameters that they are allowed to by statute. One roadblock that they have encountered is the unwillingness of individuals who may have direct knowledge to speak with them. They are mostly operating on some of the same rumors listed above.
Until one brave soul with direct knowledge comes forward, their hands are basically tied. The FBI is offering a $5000 reward in the case, however, beyond that, there is not much else they can do because there is no evidence that any crime has been committed, let alone a federal one. However, they are continuing to follow leads because this is still a missing person case.
The only way a real investigation can commence is by an individual with direct knowledge making the decision to do what's right, and come forward. The time for that is long past due.
2023
Today marks five years that Sarah's family will have to watch go by without their daughter and mother. Sarah's two young children are continuing to grow up without their mother, and Sarah’s other family members must begin another year with no answers.
The very sad, and tragic reality is that someone reading this story may hold the piece that brings this puzzle together. Until someone comes forward and does the right thing, July 16 will always be a day of sadness and injustice.
If you have any information regarding Sarah’s disappearance, please call the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131.
Please do not message this page with information that you should take to law enforcement.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this story is meant to make any sort of accusation, or imply guilt upon any individual or entity.
Additionally, nothing in this story is meant to represent any official position of the Joplin Police Department or the FBI.
Press Release: Burglary Arrest 08-01-23
Date: August 2nd, 2023
On August 1st, 2023, officers with the Joplin Police Department were dispatched to Dairy Queen at 2015 E. 32nd Street for a report of a found item. Upon arrival officers located a trash can filled with items that appeared to be possible stolen property. The items included miscellaneous tools, a business checkbook, identification documents, and a heavily damaged cash register. Joplin PD Detectives responded, and they were able to determine the items originated from El Caballo De Oro Mexican Restaurant at 1901 E. 32nd Street. Further investigation revealed that El Caballo De Oro had been burglarized and the backdoor appeared to have forced entry. After reviewing surveillance cameras of a nearby business, the suspect was observed abandoning the stolen property a block away from the burglary and continuing to walk east. Detectives and officers searched the area and located the suspect inside the Lucky 7 business at 2401 E. 32nd Street. The suspect, Jeffrey D. Hance, age 53 of Webb City, was detained and arrested on two active felony warrants. One warrant was a Probation Violation Capias Warrant out of Jasper County for Amphetamines Possession and the other warrant was also a Jasper County warrant for Probation Violation for Burglary. Through ongoing investigative efforts by JPD Detectives, they were able to confirm Hance had burglarized the El Caballo De Oro Mexican Restaurant. An additional charge of Burglary in the 2nd Degree was forwarded to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A mugshot of Hance is attached to this release.
Weekly activity report for Joplin PD from Monday, August 7th to Sunday, August 13th
Tomorrow
Another year has passed and investigators and family members still search for answers in the disappearance of Tracy Pickett: https://trib.al/zVt9fCs
It's an excellent idea to snap a photo of your children right before any departure from home. Being proactive, in a healthy manner, is just good parenting.
Report information about a missing child to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's 24-hour hotline at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678).
Cold Case: Missouri is seeking information pertaining to the disappearance of . If you are familiar with this case, or know anyone who is, please message Cold Case: Missouri or this page.
Thank you.
Carl Junction Police Department
We have kicked off our 2020 Shop with a Cop program. We have the longest list from the school that we have ever had, 390 kids, We have had faithful donors through the years and we notify them when we start the program.
100% of the funds raised go directly to the children, not many organizations can make that claim, and I am very proud of that fact.
I hate to ask, but if anyone else would like to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated, You can drop it off at the Carl Junction Police Department, mail it to the Carl Junction Police Department, PO Box 442 Carl Junction, MO 64834, or call 649-7070 and we will come directly to you and pick it up.
Chief Delmar Haase
Buckle up, this ride gets bumpy.
Another one that received a large number of visitors yesterday.
It has been four years since federal and New Mexico authorities originally arrested former Joplin pediatric surgeon Guy Rosenschein and charged him with receiving and distributing child po*******hy.
Since that time, a federal grand jury indicted him on more child p**n charges, including at least one that goes back to 2010 when he was practicing in Joplin, though no charges against him have mentioned Joplin.
It has also been revealed that he had disturbing photos of children that appear to have been taken at the hospital where he worked in New Mexico.
A couple of years ago, the FBI in Arkansas asked for any reports of inappropriate behavior while Rosenschein worked in that state- which he did at the same time he maintained a Joplin practice.
With all of these revelations, four years have passed and the Joplin Globe, as far as I can tell, has yet to write one word. https://rturner229.blogspot.com/2020/11/former-joplin-pediatric-surgeon-accused.html
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A news magazine that features crime stories, arrest reports, active warrants, court and trial updates from Joplin, MO.
We post up to date information pertaining to arrest reports, active warrants, court logs and crime stories. In the summer of 2020, we will be going LIVE to scenes in order to provide on the spot coverage. The summer of 2020 will also see the launching of the Joplin CRIME WATCH Podcast. This will be a weekly series highlighting the previous week in crime, as well as other topics.
2020 is going to be an exciting year.
DISCLAIMER:
Joplin CRIME WATCH in no way affiliated with the Joplin Police Department, or any other law enforcement agency. Some of our writers and contributors do have LEO experience, as well as fugitive recovery, security and investigative work. One of our writers is currently a Criminal Justice major in college. But none of us are LEO’s.
We are writers, reporters, and investigative journalists. That's it. Feel safe to be around us though. We promise to protect and to serve.
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