Joplin police arrest alleged burglar with citizen help

Some people just don’t know when to quit.

A burglar eluded police late Friday morning at a residence in Joplin.

However, later in the day, the JPD received a call about another, similar residential burglary.

That’s according to Joplin police Sgt. William Davis.

“Thanks to citizens in the area who were calling in, who observed the suspect flee the scene, officers were able to locate him a short distance away and take him into custody,” Sgt. Davis said.

Davis said officers plan to submit a charge of first degree burglary against 44-year-old Gary Blackwell.

He says Blackwell was not immediately taken into custody due to a medical emergency.

He was, instead, transported to a local healthcare institution.