The vehicle was stuck in a field behind a barn. The suspect, later identified as Richard McDonald Jr. was located with the vehicle. McDonald was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail.
The investigation is being conducted by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. During the investigation stolen Mail from Mail Boxes along 43 highways was located inside the stolen truck. The Sheriff’s Office will be in contact with those victims in those cases.
The report has been sent to the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Smalley for formal filing of criminal charges. On March 14th a warrant was issued to McDonald for the criminal charge of tampering with a motor vehicle. He is incarcerated at the Barton County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. McDonald also 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.
