Joplin man charged with assault, other felonies, after crashing stolen van into building, nearly hitting pregnant woman, child

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On August 1, 2019 at approximately 09:15 A.M. a Joplin officer observed a blue van traveling faster than the posted speed limit.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled. The officer did not pursue the vehicle due to the time of day and safety of those in the area. The officer was able to give a detailed description of the driver to other officers and dispatch.

The same officer handled a call on July 31, 2019 that he believed involved the same vehicle and began checking the area around 15th St. and Kansas Ave. 

The officer located the vehicle at 1504 S. Kansas Ave. Officers began contacting several people in the area and was advised a male exited the vehicle and ran into apartment 1. 

Witnesses gave the same description of the male that the officer was able to identify in the vehicle. Consent was given to search the apartment and the suspect was located inside and taken into custody.

Upon further investigation it was found the suspect crashed the vehicle into the side of the building causing significant damage. 

Directly inside where the vehicle hit the building a young child and pregnant female were sleeping. They advised when the vehicle hit the building it caused the wall to push within inches of their head. The owner of the vehicle was contacted, and we were advised the vehicle had been stolen.

The suspect is identified as 32-year-old Timothy S. Wright of Joplin, MO. Wright is in custody at the Joplin City Jail. Charges have been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office for 4th Degree Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child x2, Resisting Arrest by Fleeing, and 1st Degree Tampering.

The investigation is ongoing.