Joplin Metro
Women pose as worker, customer at Wal-Mart to gain help in TV theft
By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
Joplin police have sent out a warning to law-enforcement agencies in other states regarding a two-woman team that stole an expensive television set from the Wal-Mart store on West Seventh Street, with one of them posing as an employee of the business.
The women got away with a 52-inch, flat-screen Samsung television worth $1,300 on Sunday night, said Cpl. Chuck Niess of the Joplin Police Department.
Niess said a woman dressed as a Wal-Mart employee in tan pants and a blue shirt, with a portable communication device on her belt, entered a back room of the store at 2623 W. Seventh St., and recruited some employees to assist her in loading the television on a cart. The woman then wheeled the TV out to a second woman, who was posing as a customer in a sport utility vehicle in the parking lot.
By the time any true employees of the business became suspicious, both women were gone, Niess said.
The woman posing as an employee was described as having dark brown hair. The other woman was about 5 feet 3 inches tall, with frosted blond hair and wearing a sun dress. She was driving a white SUV with Oklahoma plates that was pulling a U-Haul trailer.
Niess said the Pittsburg (Kan.) Police Department reported suspects matching the descriptions having pulled off a similar theft at the Wal-Mart store in Pittsburg.
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
A fix for Joplin’s tax-stacking exposure has not materialized in this session of state legislative action, as city leaders had hoped.
And, with only four days left before the session ends, not much chance is seen for the rescue of a bill that would protect Joplin, and other cities, from potential lawsuits such as one filed last year over the city’s multiple sales taxes. -
Sex offender sentenced for failure to register
A former Texan was assessed two three-year prison terms Monday for failing to register in Jasper County as a sex offender and for receiving stolen property.
Clay E. Herring, 53, pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to the charges in Jasper County Circuit Court. -
Drunken driver assessed suspended sentence in crash
A Webb City man was assessed a suspended sentence Monday on an assault conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in an accident two years ago that caused serious injuries to another man.
Justin M. Allen, 32, pleaded guilty March 22 in Jasper County Circuit Court to second-degree assault in connection with a two-vehicle accident May 13, 2008, on Highway 43 north of Joplin. -
Salary schedule to come before Board of Education
A proposal that would institute a pay freeze next year and slightly reduce starting pay for new teachers is to be taken up tonight by the Joplin School Board.
Superintendent C.J. Huff said the salary schedule that will come before the board will include changes that would reduce the annual starting pay for new teachers with no experience next year from $33,372 to $33,122. -
Brad Belk: May tornadoes struck Joplin twice in 1970s
Two incredibly destructive and deadly tornadoes touched down in Joplin during the early 1970s.
Both occurred during the month of May and were separated by just a little over two years of time. -
Mothers, daughters experience pioneer life at nature center
Mothers and daughters got an early Mother’s Day treat last week when they stepped back in time to learn how nature played a role in the life of a pioneer woman.
-
Students brave cold, wind for Fun Run
Sixth-grader Lexie Vaught found a burst of energy as she ran down the final stretch of her mile-long run Saturday morning, well ahead of the other girls in her race.
“I was pacing myself until I got to the end,” she said. “It was amazing (to cross the finish line).” -
Summer school programs facing financial pressure
When Jessica Stahl sent her daughter to summer school last year, it was as much about easing mom’s kindergarten jitters as her daughter’s.
“I’ve never been a school parent,” Stahl said Wednesday while waiting to pick up her six-year-old daughter from Columbia Elementary School. -
VPAA search looms large in MSSU faculty relations
The filling of the position of vice president for academic affairs is emerging as a key issue for faculty relations at Missouri Southern State University and could determine whether any trust can be rebuilt with President Bruce Speck, several faculty said.
-
Fuel prices could be peaking
For a while there, it looked like gasoline would reach $3 for a gallon of regular, and it still might, but the chance of that happening is less likely today than it was even a few days ago.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
