Two men were arrested in an allegedly stolen vehicle after a traffic stop in south Joplin at 4:35 a.m. on Tuesday morning, according to a release from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
Joseph R. Miksell, 18, of Joplin, and Dustin K. Gaston, 23, of Carthage, were each taken to the Jasper County Jail in Carthage. Both men face one count each of tampering. Gaston also was charged with possession of a controlled substance and fleeing from police. His bond has been set at $10,000.
Miksell also was charged with driving without a valid license. His bond was set at $5,000.
A deputy pulled Miksell over at 32nd Street and Lewellen after receiving a tip that occupants of a red Ford Crown Victoria were making narcotics transactions at the nearby Flying J Travel Plaza, the release stated.
Miksell was acting suspicious, and was asked to step out of the vehicle. Once he did, Gaston allegedly moved to the driver’s seat and sped off.
Deputies chased Gaston to 3415 S. Moffet St., where the vehicle struck a small stump, and he fled the vehicle on foot. He was apprehended in some nearby woods.
The vehicle was returned to its owner, who reportedly was not aware it had been stolen.
