(From the Joplin Police Department)On May 18th, 2023, at 9:02 p.m. the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a report of an attempted child abduction near 3rd and Main Street.
Officers immediately responded to the area and determined an adult male grabbed a 4-year-old girl outside of a bounce house near 3rd and Main Street at the Third Thursday downtown event.
As the suspect began trying to quickly carry the child away, the mother began chasing after the suspect, which brought the attention of bystanders in the area.
The suspect was confronted, stopped, and surrounded by bystanders who prevented him from fleeing any further. The child was rescued and reunited with the mother. The child appeared to be unharmed.
Bystanders kept the suspect detained until officers arrived and were able to take him into custody.
The suspect was identified as Johnny L. Arehart, age 28, who is reportedly homeless.
Charges are being submitted to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for Child Kidnapping. Arehart is currently being held in the Joplin City Jail.
Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are actively continuing the investigation of this incident. If you were at the event and witnessed anything related to this incident, we ask that you please contact Detective Sergeant Luke Stahl at 417-623-3131 extension 1885.
No comments:
Post a Comment