April 26, 2023
Webb City Police Chief Don Melton reports that the suspect in the April 11 murder of Maria L. Whitaker in Webb City is now in custody.
Nicholas K. Berry, 51, of Branson, was arrested without incident at 1:10 p.m. Monday, April 24, at a fast-food restaurant on West Sunshine Street in Springfield by the U.S. Marshal’s Service Task Force.
At last word, Berry was being held in the Greene County Sheriff’s Jail until being extradited to Jasper County.
Warrants were filed April 12 by the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office for murder in the first degree, armed criminal action, and robbery in the first degree.
The victim, Maria L. Whitaker, 39, of Joplin, was found on residential property in the 1000 block of W. First St. in Webb City.
Officers were called to the scene at 3:22 a.m. Sunday, April 11, because of a disturbance. They performed CPR, but she was transported to a hospital she was pronounced dead and her death was ruled a homicide.
Friday, April 14
23:07 – I observed a black passenger vehicle traveling northbound on Oronogo Street at Broadway with an expired temporary tags. A 63-year-old male was arrested for driving while revoked.
Saturday, April 15
On 04-15-2023 Officers were dispatched to 1608 Goldstream Dr. in reference to a stolen firearm. A report was taken for felony stealing.
01:56 – I observed a blue passenger vehicle northbound on Main Street at Fourth Street. A 28-year-old male was arrested for DWI.
23:57 – I observed a truck northbound on East Street from Aylor Street that was weaving over the center line with the left side of the vehicle. A 24-year-old male was arrested for DWI.
Sunday, April 16
00:05 – Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 2100 block of N. East St. One male was arrested for DWI.
16:56 – An officer was dispatched to 14th and Madison streets in reference to a non-injury crash.
Monday, April 17
01:20 – I made a traffic stop near Fountain Road and Lakeview Drive in reference to a license violation. One adult male was taken into custody for outstanding warrants.
06:30 – I was dispatched to 1626 Jefferson Circle for several dogs at large. A male was later cited for dog at large.
09:31 – I was dispatched to 223 W. First St. for a past-tense property damage.
12:06 – Officers responded to the 1400 block of Nelson St. for a report of a female being chased by a man with a gun. Officers arrived and located the reporting female. After an investigation on scene there was no armed subject and no threat of danger to the public. One female was transported for mental evaluation.
12:10 – On 04/17/2023 at 1210 hours, I was dispatched to 1919 N. Rangeline for a subject with an outstanding warrant. I took custody of the subject and transported him to the Jasper County Jail.
14:35 – I was dispatched to 1636 S. Madison St. for a past-tense property damage.
15:04 – I was dispatched to 411 N. Oak St. for a past-tense violation of a protection order.
19:31 – An officer was dispatched to the area of Prairie Flower and Highway 171 for a leaving-the-scene motor vehicle crash.
19:45 – Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of West Nelson St., reference a non-injury crash.
Tuesday, April 18
00:51 – Officers were dispatched to WCPD reference a walk-in report. A juvenile female from Joplin was found to be entered as a runaway. She was returned to parents.
01:22 – Officers were dispatched to 337 S. Main St. for two suspicious males. A 28-year-old male was arrested for theft of property and for providing false information to an officer.
07:22 – I was dispatched to the 1200 block of W. Nelson St. for a disturbance. The reporting party stated his juvenile daughter assaulted him and his wife and then fled the area.
07:52 – Officers were dispatched to an unknown-trouble call at 324 S. Tom St. for a female crying for help. One female was transported to a local hospital by EMS.
12:13 – I was dispatched to WCPD in reference to a stolen trailer at 1020 Stadium Drive.
12:50 – I stopped a red Nissan Rogue at Daugherty and Liberty streets for a broken tail light and for matching the description of a suspicious vehicle reported near the kindergarten school. The female driver was charged with driving while suspended.
13:22 – I was dispatched to Commerce Bank, 1311 S. Madison St. in reference to a male passing a bad check in the drive-thru. A 27-year-old was arrested for passing a bad check, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
13:35 – I was contacted at WCPD a past-tense theft at 413 S. Elliot St.
17:30 – Officers were dispatched to 2077 Stadium Drive for a report of sexual misconduct.
18:00 – Officers were dispatched to Range Line Road and Zora Street for a disabled vehicle in the center turn lane. The vehicle was towed as abandoned.
19:46 – An officer was dispatched to WCPD for a walk-in report regarding violation of an adult protection order.
Wednesday, April 19
05:00 – Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of E. Nelson St. in reference to a runaway juvenile.
07:47 – Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of N. Liberty St. for a toddler found in the area. The investigation led to a hotline and services being placed through the Division of Childen’s Services.
08:21 – I received a call for service at Walmart in reference to shoplifting.
Thursday, April 20
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying expired Missouri registration at Madison Street and Mt. Hope Road. One male was arrested for driving while suspended.
09:02 – I received a call for service at 1601 S. Oronogo St. in reference to a found bicycle.
11:30 – An officer was dispatched to 324 N. Tom St. in reference to a request for assistance from property management in sharing information with the police department.
13:50 – Officers were dispatched to the roundabout in reference to a two-vehicle, non-injury, motor vehicle crash. A 41-year-old male driver was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way.
15:32 – An officer conducted a traffic stop at MacArthur Drive and Ellis Street for no license plates. The 47-year-old female driver was arrested for driving while suspended.
16:40 – I was dispatched to 1338 April Crossing for a domestic assault.
19: 39 – An officer conducted a traffic stop at Range Line Road and Zora Street for a registration violation. The 23-year-old female was arrested on a Jasper County warrant.
20:01 – I made a traffic stop near Third and Washington streets in reference to license and traffic violations. One adult male was taken into custody for outstanding warrants.
21:15 – An officer conducted a traffic stop near East Daugherty Street and East Street. A 27-year-old male was taken into custody for an active failure to appear warrant out of Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Friday, April 21
12:45 – I took a report of theft from 501 S. Madison St. that had occurred on April 9.
17:22 – An officer was dispatched to 2077 Stadium Drive for theft of property.
19:36 – Officers responded to 908 Megan Lane for a physical domestic assault. One subject was taken into custody.
Saturday, April 22
14:16 – An officer was dispatched to WCPD in reference to a harassment complaint. The victim reported being harassed and threatened by a former roommate.
20:02 – Officers were dispatched to 804 S. Hall St. in reference to a past-tense assault.
19:20 – Officers were on general patrol in the area of Caseys, 337 S. Main St., when an officer noticed a possible wanted subject in a vehicle sitting at the gas pumps. A 31-year-old male was arrested on outstanding warrants as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and felony resisting.
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