Photo: Jayson A. McDaniel
Authorities in Howell County have arrested one suspect and are continuing to search for a second one in connection with reports earlier this week of two stolen vehicles.
On Wednesday, investigators with the West Plains Police Department and the Howell County Sheriff’s Office received information on a location of a 2020 Ford F-150 truck reported s stolen Sunday. The truck was reportedly stolen from a residence along St. Louis Street.
Investigators with two departments arrived at the location, located the truck and took one suspect, 23-year-old Jayson A. McDaniel, into custody.
McDaniel was formerly charged Thursday with one count of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $5,000 cash or corporate surety.
McDaniel is on parole from the Missouri Department of Corrections on prior felony convictions of possession of a controlled substance(s) and forgery. A second suspect identified as 37-year-old Christopher M. Smith remains at large.
In addition, on Wednesday, investigators received information from a community member who had heard about a second stolen vehicle, a Ford van reported taken from Ozarks Healthcare Thrift Store.
The community member told investigators the van was located on County Road 9180. Investigators arrived at the location and located the van missing all four tires, two wheels and catalytic converters, with extensive damage to the steering column. The suspect(s) in this case remain at large.
Anyone with information on Smith’s location or information regarding the suspect in the theft of the van is asked to contact the West Plains Police Department at 417-256-2244 or at crimetips@westplains.net.
The West Plains Police Department would like to thank the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, the community and the local media for their assistance in these investigations.
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