Joplin residents arrested on felony warrants after using stolen car to lead officers in two-state pursuit

(From the Joplin Police Department)

This morning at 3:14 a.m. a Joplin Police Officer was on patrol in the area of 500 South Moffet. He observed a vehicle in the alley with the trunk open and a male standing next to it. The officer circled the block to contact the suspicious vehicle.

The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed with the trunk open and items falling from it. The officer believed the occupant(s) was involved in a theft and a pursuit began.

The vehicle fled through the northwest part of town before entering Kansas. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to spike the vehicle in Kansas. Galena, Kansas Police Department also attempted to spike the vehicle. While in pursuit in Galena, another vehicle attempted to cut off officers and block the pursuit. 

The pursuit continued south to the Downstream Exit and then Westbound on I-44. The pursuit continued to the Miami, Oklahoma Exit and entered Miami, Oklahoma. The pursuit then went eastbound on Highway 10 and Newton County, Missouri Deputies were able to successfully deploy spike strips and the pursuit re-entered Missouri. 

The pursuit continued northbound on 43 Highway over I-44 and Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies spiked the vehicle a second time. The vehicle continued to the bridge Near Zan’s creek and came to a stop. A male and female were taken into custody.

Joseph W. Hood, 36, Joplin, and Nicole L. Teague, 32, Joplin, were arrested out of the vehicle. Hood had seven Jasper County Felony warrants for Possession, Creation and distribution of a controlled substance and a weapons violation warrant out of Newton County and Teague had two forgery warrants, trafficking id’s warrant and a passing bad checks warrants all out of Jasper County. 

Hood was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, felony resisting by fleeing and possession of burglar tools. After the subjects were in custody it was found that the car they were in was stolen. Hood also faces first degree tampering charges and Teague Second Degree Tampering Charges.

Further investigation into their activities and the property in the vehicle is on-going. Numerous items were thrown from the vehicle at numerous times during the pursuit as well by the occupants.

The vehicle that attempted to cut off the pursuit was contacted by Kansas Authorities and warrant arrests occurred. We appreciate the agencies that all assisted our officers in this case.