Joplin man faces charges in wake of reportedly refusing to pay taxi fare

Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills at least 51

A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

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June 29, 2012

Joplin man faces charges in wake of reportedly refusing to pay taxi fare

news@joplinglobe.com The Joplin Globe Sun Jul 01, 2012, 12:02 AM CDT

A disturbance Thursday night at Sister of Mercy Health System’s interim hospital in Joplin led to the arrest of a 56-year-old man on suspicion of theft, resisting arrest and felony possession of prescription drugs.

Police Cpl. Chuck Niess said an officer responded to the hospital at 2817 S. St. John’s Blvd. shortly before 11 p.m. regarding a man reportedly refusing to pay the fare for a taxi that had taken him to the hospital.

Niess said the officer was trying to place Randy L. McDonald, of Joplin, under arrest when McDonald allegedly bit the officer on the arm. Some clonazepam and other prescription pills allegedly were found in McDonald’s possession after his arrest, Niess said.

McDonald was charged with felony possession of controlled substances, and misdemeanor theft and resisting arrest.

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