Stolen car part ring busted in Joplin

On September 15th, 2020 at 09:54 an officer with the Joplin Police Department located a stolen  Jeep Cherokee at the Eagle Ridge Apartment at 617 W. 25th Street in Joplin. Upon approaching  the vehicle, the male driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot but was apprehended a short  distance later. Aaron K. Wright, age 30, from Joplin, was arrested on scene for Tampering with  a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Resisting Arrest and also Violating an Ex-Parte Order of  Protection. The vehicle was confirmed as stolen out of Shannon County, Missouri.

Furthering this investigation, Detectives with JPD served a search warrant on September 16th at  419 N. Walnut Avenue in Joplin. Detectives located and seized numerous stolen catalytic  converters. There was also evidence located showing one of the residents, Pamela Sims, had  been purchasing stolen catalytic converters. Sims, age 58, was arrested and charges were  submited for Stealing (felony) to the Jasper County Prosecutors Office.

So far in 2020, the Joplin Police Department has taken a total of 45 reports of thefts or attempted  thefts of catalytic converters in Joplin. This is an ongoing investigation and further details may  be released if they become available.