Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Joplin man arrested for robbery, trafficking in stolen identities


(From the Joplin Police Department)

On January 14th at 11:39 pm the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of a robbery that had just occurred near 15th and Virginia. 

The caller reported finding an adult male suspect inside his vehicle and upon confronting him, the suspect pointed a handgun at him. The gun belonged to the victim and was stolen from the victim's vehicle by the suspect. The suspect was last seen fleeing the area on foot and officers responded and began checking the area. 







Officers located a person matching the suspect description near 16th and Main Street. After further investigation, he was identified as the offender and was found to have a handgun in his possession. The firearm was confirmed to be the handgun stolen from the victim in this incident. 

The suspect also had numerous forms of identification and credit cards that were not issued to him. The investigation by officers found these items were also stolen from a vehicle nearby. 

The suspect was identified as James L. Gautney, age 32 of Joplin. He was arrested and transported to the Joplin City Jail. Charges were filed by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for Robbery in 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Trafficking in Stolen Identities. His bond was set at $25,000. 

Gautney also had an active parole warrant for Burglary 2nd Degree out of Jasper County with no bond.

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