Stolen truck, mail found in Barton County

Stacie Strader by Stacie Strader

On March 13th, 2019, Deputy Cpl. Lance Butler responded to a report of a stolen truck from Webb City that was last seen heading north on 43 Hwy from Jasper County, Missouri.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office says they had received reports that the vehicle had been driving through people’s yards. The truck was found just south of Hwy 160 on 43 Hwy. It was stuck in a field behind a barn.

The suspect, later identified as Richard McDonald, Jr., was found with the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to the Barton County Jail.

Investigators found stolen mail from mail boxes along 43 Hwy inside the stolen truck. The Sheriff’s Office will be in contact with those victims in those cases.

McDonald Jr. is charged with tampering with motor vehicle – 1st degree. Additional charges might be filed. Authorities say he has other criminal charges out of Jasper County.

Sheriff Mitchell Shaw would like to thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and Lamar Police Department for their assistance. “Another big thank you goes out to Liberal Fire Chief Brent Hanshaw for using his tractor to pull the stolen vehicle out of the mud. The owner of the vehicle came to the scene and was able to get the truck back.”

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