Fatality Accident
Joplin Police responded to a truck versus motorcycle accident today (4-23-08) at 7th and Schifferdecker. A 1979 GMC flatbed pickup driven by Robert Crane, age 51 of Joplin, collided with a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Angelo Cruz, age 27 of Joplin. Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pickup was traveling east on 7th and made a left turn onto Schifferdecker. As the truck was in the act of turning, the motorcycle, which was traveling west on 7th, collided with the pickup.
Witnesses stated that the motorcycle was traveling at a very high rate of speed when the collision occurred. No injuries were reported from the driver of the pickup. The Traffic Reconstruction Team is working the scene.
Suspected murder/suicide found
Joplin Police were called at 10:59 p.m. on Saturday April 12, 2008 to check the well being of a married couple.
The children of the deceased were left with a neighbor who was to baby-sit them. The couple did not return for the children in a timely manner, and the reporting party called police due to the fact that there was no answer at the door of their residence.
Police entered the residence and discovered the bodies of Jim Hopkins, age 35, and Anna Hopkins, age 30, both of 2125 S Grand. Jim Hopkins appears to have died from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death concerning Anna Hopkins.
Based upon the scene it appears that this incident was a murder/suicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday concerning Anna Hopkins.
The children are currently being cared for by family.
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Joplin Police Investigate string of Suspicious Fires
Joplin Police are currently investigating a string of suspicious fires that occurred late in the evening of Saturday, April 12, 2008. A total of six suspicious fires were reported early Sunday morning. The following are a list of the fires:
- 817 Empire @ 00:24 vacant house – garage on fire
- 730 Porter @ 01:11 abandoned house
- 1423 Furnace @ 01:23 vehicle fire
- 1905 Picher @ 02:18 vehicle fire
- 1815 Picher @ 03:08 garage fire – vehicle inside
- 3824 W Red Fox Circle @ 03:13 – construction site – framed house
Police are investigating these along with the Fire Department to determine if any are related. There were no reports or possibilities of injuries in any of the fires; these due to the fact the fires involved unoccupied vehicles and structures that were detached garages, vacant vehicles or unoccupied residences. Anyone with information in regards to these fires may contact the Joplin Police Department Investigations Bureau at (417) 623-3131 ext 442. [Informants may also phone the Missouri Arson hotline at (800) 39-ARSON - 1-800-392-7766. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered to anyone with information on an act of arson leading to a conviction.]
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Do you know this man?
The Joplin Police Department is seeking assistance in locating a suspect in an auto theft from a local convenience store.
On March 29, 2008, a subject stole a car from the Kum & Go store located at 3504 S. Range Line Road, Joplin, MO. The theft occurred sometime between the hours of 11:48 p.m. and 11:58 p.m.
If this subject is recognized please contact the Joplin Police Department at (417) 623-3131 and ask for Detective Victor Sly.
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