Joplin man arrested after string of alleged burglaries
A man from Joplin is facing charges after a string of alleged burglaries. Read the full press release below:
On January 12th, 2022, officers with the Joplin Police Department were called to Cracker Barrel at 4010 S. Richard Joseph Blvd for a report of a found item. An employee had located a safe behind the business that did not belong to the restaurant. Officers were able to make contact with employees at Towne Home Suites at 4026 S. Arizona Avenue and learned the safe had been stolen from the hotel during an unreported burglary. There were also miscellaneous tools and hotel keys stolen.
As officers continued their investigation, they learned a suspect was trespassing in one of the hotel rooms and was detained. While there officers located items in the hotel room that were stolen during the burglary. The suspect was identified as Adam G. Gustafson, age 38, of Joplin. Officers received information that Gustafson also may be in possession of a stolen vehicle.
Upon checking the hotel parking lot, officers located a stolen 2016 Hyundai Tucson, which was stolen during a burglary at 2831 E. 19th Street in Joplin on December 19, 2021. The vehicle also had license plates displayed that were reported stolen out of Webb City.
Inside the vehicle, officers located numerous stolen items from previous burglaries in Joplin, including the following:
• January 11th, 2022- Burglary at the Fairfield Inn at 3301 S. Rangeline Road where tools were stolen
• January 11th, 2022- Burglary at the Oxford Apartments at 3320 S. Texas Avenue where cameras were stolen.
• January 12th, 2022- Burglary at Silvercreek Senior Living at 3325 S. Texas Avenue where a generator and tools were stolen.
Additionally, Gustafson was captured on surveillance video during one of the burglary incidents and was still in possession of the same clothing worn during the theft. Gustafson was transported to the Joplin City Jail and charges were filed by the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney for Burglary in the 1st Degree and Receiving Stolen Property.
Gustafson is currently being held without bail. Additional charges for Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Tampering in the 1st Degree and Stealing have also been submitted. Detectives with the Joplin Police Department are continuing to follow up on these investigations and further updates may be released as they become available.