Joplin man in jail following alleged assault on his mother
Several charges filed by Jasper County Prosecutor
A 42-year-old Joplin man is in jail today after Joplin police say he assaulted his mother and committed several other crimes on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, December 14 at 3:48 pm, the Joplin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a report of a domestic assault with a weapon in the 400 block of south Ozark Avenue.
The caller, an elderly female, reported that her 42 year old son had physically assaulted her and retrieved a knife and threatened to further harm her.
Officers immediately responded to the area and upon arrival observed the suspect get into a blue Hyundai passenger car and flee the scene. Officer attempted to stop the suspect however he continued to flee and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The pursuit went eastbound on 4th Street and ended when the suspect crashed the vehicle into the north entrance gate to the Joplin Police Department.
The suspect was detained and taken to the Joplin City Jail. During the ensuing investigation, it was determined the vehicle the suspect was driving belonged to the victim and he had stolen it during his attempt to flee from law enforcement officers.
The suspect was also found to be intoxicated.
He has been identified as 42-year-old William J. Jenkins of Joplin.
On Thursday, December 15th, formal charges were filed by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office against Jenkins for Domestic Assault 4th Degree, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, Resisting Arrest, Property Damage 1st Degree, and B.A.C..
Jenkins is being held without bond.