AUTO THEFT CASES SOLVED WITH ARREST

On July 2, a male suspect was arrested for involvement in multiple automobile thefts in the surrounding area. Robert A. Abbott has been placed on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges from the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on multiple counts of automobile theft and multiple counts of theft of a firearm.
A West Plains Police Department officer located Abbott in a stolen vehicle from Howell-Oregon Electric in the driveway of a residence on Arkansas Street in West Plains. The officer and a Howell County Deputy made contact with Abbott and also discovered stolen firearms, in the vehicle with Abbott. Those firearms had been stolen from other vehicles Abbott is alleged to have stolen. 
Abbott, who is currently on probation for felony stealing with the Missouri Department of Corrections according to court records, is also alleged to be the suspect in three additional automobile thefts which occurred in West Plains on July 1. Three of the four vehicles have been recovered and returned to the owners. 
The accused is also being held on multiple agency warrants in Missouri and Arkansas with charges that include automobile theft and stealing. Abbott was also currently out on bond for charges of first degree assault and armed criminal action in Howell County.