JPD captures Office Depot thief with laptop, electronics in his possession

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Incident Spotlight

Yesterday at 11:34 a.m. officers were dispatched to Office Depot at 3132 South Range Line for a felony theft.

The employees reported that a male walked out of the store carrying a laptop without paying for it, his pockets were bulging and he had a knife in his right hand displayed as he walked out. Officers and K9 began searching the area. 

Another business in the area called and said they saw a male walking northbound at a brisk pace, drop a knife, and that business recovered the knife. 

After looking at store video officers determined the suspect was already wanted by detectives on a burglary charge and in several other theft cases recently in town. 

At 12:43 pm, over an hour after the theft call, a K9 Unit was driving on 24th Street at McConnell still looking for the suspect. He spotted the suspect, now missing some of his clothing, walking and still carrying the laptop. He confronted the suspect and gave him multiple orders to stop. The male instead took off running. 

The K9 apprehended the male in the front yard of 2209 East 25th, where the male continued to resist arrest and was ultimately arrested on numerous felonies. He was still in possession of the laptop and stolen electronics which were all recovered with a value of $869.97.