SUSPICIOUS PERSON REPORT LEADS TO FELONY ARREST

On September 18, at approximately 10:09a.m., West Plains Police Department officers responded to the 1400 block of Second Street for a report of a suspicious male looking in vehicles and being on house porches. When officers arrived in the area, the man was found to have unlawfully entered a residence in the 1500 block of First Street. The male fled from the officers on foot, exiting the back door of the residence toward Broadway. 

Officers began searching the area attempting to locate the subject. He was seen running across Broadway toward Halstead. One officer gave chase, and the man fled to the rear parking lot of the National Guard Armory where he stole a white van owned by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and fled down Halstead and then west on Webster Avenue. 

The suspect then left the van at a residence in the 1600 block of Webster Avenue, unlawfully entered the residence, and then ran into a wooded area between Webster Avenue and Broadway. The male was the later seen running behind houses between First Street and Broadway and then seen on a bicycle near Broadway. It was at this point that the suspect was taken into custody by deputies with the Howell County Sheriff’s Office. 

At the time of the arrest, the suspect was identified to be 36-year-old Joseph L. Beard of Caulfield. He was transported to the Howell County Jail. Beard has been formally charged with first degree burglary, stealing of a motor vehicle (prior offender) and felony resisting arrest. Beard is currently incarcerated at the Howell County Jail with a bond set at $100,000.00. 

The West Plains Police Department expressed thanks to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office and members of the public for their assistance in the apprehension of Beard.