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Suspect Escaped from Hospital to Continue Auto Theft Spree

Formal Charges have Been Filed
Howell County prosecutors have filed four separate criminal cases against Jeremiah Partee, 42, Nixa, following his arrest for stealing multiple vehicles and trailers in the area. Partee faces two counts of stealing a motor vehicle and three counts stealing $750 or more, all felonies. 
The investigation of the string of thefts was a collaborative effort among Howell County Sheriff’s Office, West Plains Police Department, Ozark County Sheriff's Office, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office.
Partee remains in custody in Baxter County Jail. He faces a bond of $25,000 for each of the criminal cases against him in Howell County. 
 
On the morning of February 14, Howell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Private Road 8072 near West Plains for a report of an unknown man submerged in the homeowner’s hot tub. The tub was located on the patio of the residence, and according to the probable cause statement filed by Lieutenant Torey Thompson, the temperature outside was four degrees. 
 
The man in the hot tub was Partee, and the residence was close to the location where law enforcement discovered a stolen truck the night before. The suspect was taken into custody for his own safety. Due to apparent signs of medical issues from his exposure to the elements, Partee was transported to the hospital. He walked out of the facility prior to receiving treatment. After leaving the hospital, Partee stole more vehicles. 
 
In the ensuing days, West Plains Police Department took reports of two more stolen trailers, one of which was a car hauler valued at $19,000 and a truck stolen from the Southern Hills Shopping Center. 
The stolen truck was later discovered wrecked in Lick Creek in Ozark County. After fleeing from law enforcement in Ozark County, Partee stole a sedan in that area. 
 
Baxter County Sheriff’s Office took Partee into custody on February 17. The next day, Partee gave information to West Plains Police investigators regarding the location of the remaining stolen items. 
 
All four probable cause statements in these cases call Partee a danger to society. Not only was he on probation for similar thefts in Arkansas at the time of the crimes, but he victimized more than half a dozen local residents and businesses on his spree. 
Three additional felonies have been filed against Partee by Ozark County Prosecutors.

Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
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