Authorities believe 17-year-old Daniel D. Hartman shot and killed Jacob Wages when Wages caught Hartman and two unidentified juveniles sometime early Friday morning inside his home at 1912 S. Pearl Ave.
Hartman, of Tulsa, Okla., who has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and burglary in the killing of Wages, 23, remained at large Monday. But he is not the only suspect police were seeking.
A probable-cause affidavit that became available Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court states that Hartman and two juvenile suspects “unlawfully entered” Wages’ home “with the intent to steal.”
“Upon entry, Hartman was confronted by the resident, and Hartman shot Jacob Wages with a handgun that he brought with him, killing the victim,” the affidavit reads.
The court document states that the three suspects then searched the home looking for items to steal and left with an assault rifle belonging to the victim.
Police Lt. Darren Gallup confirmed that police are looking for Hartman and two juveniles for their roles in the slaying. But he declined to provide the names, ages or genders of the two juveniles, or say where they live.
The Hartman affidavit was initially confusing because a statement released by police Monday, prior to the affidavit being filed, reported the arrest of two adult suspects in an apparent second burglary at the same address.
Cody E. Stephens, 20, of Parsons, Kan., and Johnathan J. Taylor, 19, of Joplin, were arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree burglary.
Probable-cause affidavits filed with their charges state that they also entered Wages’ home on Friday and stole a black lockbox. They entered through the back door, with two unnamed people legally inside the home at the time, according to the affidavits. The lockbox, which was taken from the living room, “belonged to the deceased victim,” the affidavits read.
The documents do not state what the lockbox contained or when the alleged burglary took place with respect to the other illegal entry of the home and the shooting of Wages. But Gallup told the Globe that Stephens and Taylor are accused of entering the residence after the alleged burglary that led to the shooting of Wages.
Gallup declined to discuss what was in the lockbox or if it has been recovered by investigators. He also declined to discuss who else was present in Wages’ home, if they witnessed the shooting, whether the two burglaries were linked in some manner or if a murder weapon has been recovered.
“Right now, where we’re at in this investigation, it’s just not prudent to release that stuff,” Gallup said.
He did indicate that the stolen assault rifle has not been recovered and may still be in the possession of the suspects.
The Tri-State Major Case Squad was activated Saturday afternoon once the preliminary findings of an autopsy were known. Police were declining to discuss details of the autopsy, such as the number of times the victim was shot and the location of the wound or wounds.
Investigators are working with Tulsa police in the effort to locate Hartman and the two juveniles. They are asking anyone with information concerning their whereabouts to contact their local law enforcement agency or call Heartland Crime Stoppers at (417) 782-TIPZ.
The arrest warrant issued for Hartman carries both a $400,000 surety bond and a $50,000 cash bond. Stephens and Taylor were being held Monday at the Joplin City Jail on surety bonds set at $50,000 each and cash bonds of $5,000 each.
Time of murder
POLICE WERE CALLED to the home of Jacob Wages at 8:42 a.m. Friday after someone reported finding him dead. A police incident report log provides a time frame for the crime of 3 to 8:30 a.m.
Crime & Courts
Three suspects sought in slaying on Pearl Avenue
Police probe two burglaries of home in same night
- Crime & Courts
-
-
Vandals cause $37,000 in damage at Joplin business
A Joplin business owner was the victim of a weekend vandalism spree that resulted in an estimated $37,000 in damages and theft, in addition to putting the company out of service for at least two days.
-
Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
-
Firefighters douse blaze inside wall; no injuries cited
The Joplin Fire Department used thermal-imaging equipment Wednesday night to detect a hidden fire inside a residence.
-
Exeter resident hurt in accident in Barry County
An Exeter resident was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 2:15 p.m. Thursday on Missouri Highway 76, two miles west of Exeter in Barry County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
-
Pittsburg couple arrested; children taken out of home
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Pittsburg couple was arrested and their three children removed from their care Wednesday when narcotics officers allegedly seized marijuana, methamphetamine and other items in a search of their home.
-
Joplin man arrested on felony charge of past sexual abuse
A 16-year-old girl’s recent disclosures to her mother regarding past sexual abuse has led to the arrest and charging of a Joplin man.
-
Identity-theft victim jailed on culprit’s warrant
Kurt Millard spent most of last weekend in the Jasper County Jail, locked up on another man’s arrest warrant. The 26-year-old Joplin resident could not convince his jailers they had the wrong guy. “I got the run-around the whole weekend,” Millard told the Globe. “I didn’t even get to wish my mother a happy Mother’s Day.”
-
Attorney general files suit against California contractor
Attorney General Chris Koster on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a California man, alleging he failed to provide construction materials and home repair services that had been paid for by victims of the Joplin tornado.
-
Pierce City man hurt in accident in Barry County
A Pierce City man was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 7 a.m. Wednesday on Missouri Highway 248, two miles west of Jenkins in Barry County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
-
Woman to stand trial on felony count of child abuse
A rural Joplin woman waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on a felony count of child abuse related to the alleged bruising of her 12-year-old daughter’s buttocks and arms.
- More Crime & Courts Headlines
-
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
