Burglary Arrest Made by Nevada Police in Two Cases

Jeremy M. Haral

The Nevada Police Department reports that they have concluded an investigation of two burglary and stealing cases, originally reported to Nevada Police on June 20, 2015. The original crime occurred at a restaurant located in 200 block of Commercial St with an unlawful entry through a window. An undetermined amount of cash and food items were stolen by two suspects who were arrested by Nevada Police moments after the occurrence. 

Nevada Police Officers developed investigative leads and recovered property consisting of power tools taken in another burglary that occurred earlier in the day in the 400 block of N. Washington.

Nevada Police Officers located two suspects and recovered stolen property. An adult male was arrested a short distance from the scene of the crime and identified as:

1. Jeremy M. Haral, an 18 year old Nevada resident.
At the same time, a juvenile male was taken into custody for the crime and turned over to the custody of the Vernon County Juvenile Officer. The Juvenile’s name is not being released. Haral is being held in the Vernon County Jail on the following charges:
Burglary 2nd Degree x 2 counts Class C Felony
Haral is held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

Investigations continue into a third incident believed to have been committed by these individuals. Citizens are encouraged to contact the police if they have any information that would be helpful to combat crime. 

For questions regarding crime prevention techniques or to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, contact the Nevada Police Station at 417- 448 – 5100. 

To report criminal activities to the dispatch center call 417- 448 - 2710 or use the Tip Hotline 417- 448 - 5117. Any and all information will be kept confidential.

In an emergency situation, individuals should not hesitate in calling 911.

Obituary - Wanda Hughes

Wanda Hughes

Funeral services for Wanda Hughes will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Contributions to American Cancer Society.Wanda Irene Hughes, age 84 of Adrian, Missouri died Sunday, June 21, 2015 at her home in Adrian. She was born April 12, 1931 to William Henry and Etta Dillard Graves in Chula, Missouri. 

Wanda is survived by her husband, Roy Hughes of Adrian, Missouri; two sons, Phillip Lee Hughes and wife Debbie and Paul David Hughes and wife Lori, all of Butler, Missouri; two daughters, Patricia Law of Adrian, Missouri and Pamela Sue Olive and husband Mitchell of Prescott, Kansas; one sister, Helen Merryfield and husband Roy of Grandview, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Michael Law and wife Gina, Justin Hughes and wife Sarah, Jeremy Hughes and wife Megan, Christopher Olive and wife Whitney, Kraig Hughes, Chandler Olive, Melissa Craker, Jill Widner and Krista Belt; 19 great-grandchildren and 3 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert W. Graves and Truman Graves; and one grandson, Kyle Hughes.

Sedalia man serving a life sentence for first degree murder has died.

Joseph F. Arbeiter

According to a release from the Missouri Department of Corrections, Joseph F. Arbeiter, 67, was pronounced dead at 9:54 p.m. Saturday at University Medical Center in Columbia of “apparent natural causes.” Arbeiter had been serving a life sentence without parole at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron on charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Mandy M. Black, 35, of Marshall, in early 2014.

He was sentenced during a hearing Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, when he pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement to avoid the death penalty. During that same hearing, Arbeiter also pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an April 30, 2014, attack on a neighbor. He was charged with first degree attempted sodomy, first degree attempted rape, first degree sexual assault, second degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a controlled substance. He received a combined 45 years in prison to be served concurrently, and to be served consecutive to his murder sentence.

It was announced at a press conference May 13, 2015, that Arbeiter confessed to the murder of Black, whose remains were discovered on a property where he resided in the Goodwill Chapel Trailer Park, south of Sedalia city limits.

According to court documents, the suspect told detectives he killed the victim sometime around the beginning of 2014 and dismembered the body to conceal his crime. Detectives stated Arbeiter admittedly stabbed the victim multiple times in the chest and placed her in a metal box and that he added he did not know the victim’s name, only that she went by “Mandy.”

Months later, Arbeiter dismembered the body, placing parts of the victim in the metal box and in several shallow grave sites, according to court documents. At the time of the discovery, Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond said they believed Arbeiter acted alone in the murder.

Black had not been reported as a missing person. She was identified May 8, 2014, due to specific tattoos still visible on the body. Her last known permanent address was in Marshall, but Bond said they had received reports which indicated she had been staying in Sedalia.

The April 30 attack on his neighbor served as a catalyst that led to the discovery of the missing woman. According to court documents, trailer park maintenance workers were cleaning out the trailer to be ready for rental again due to Arbeiter being in Pettis County Jail when they discovered two human arms inside the metal box and called authorities. Once officers from the sheriff’s office arrived, a deputy found the additional human remains in several shallow graves in a wooded area near the trailer.

Nicole Cooke can be reached at 660-826-1000 ext. 1482 or @NicoleRCooke.

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Obituary - Richard “Mac” Leroy McNiel

Richard “Mac” Leroy McNiel, of Garden City, MO, passed away on June 20, 2015. Private services at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, City Union Mission of Kansas City, or Ozark Food Harvest in Springfield, Missouri. 

Mac was born on June 11, 1928 in Jefferson County, Iowa to Harry Leroy McNeil and Bertha Mae (Curtis) McNiel. He spent 5-1/2 years in the Marines serving in Korea. He began a long career with Yellow Freight Systems as an over-the-road truck driver and at the end of his 40-years he was Manager of Relay Operations. 

Mac enjoyed fishing and traveling. After retirement, Mac and Linda spent ten years traveling with their Papillons throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico in their Dodge truck and fifth-wheel. Mac also spent part of his retirement years working at Family Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Mac was very proud of his Scottish heritage, and in 2010 was able to travel to Scotland to attend the World-Wide Reunion of the McNiel Clan on the Isle of Barra where he spent time with his McNiel relatives and toured the historical Kisimul Castle. Mac’s story and his journey to the Isle of Barra was filmed as a part of a BBC series “An Island Parish”, which truly made it the trip of a lifetime. 

Survivors include his wife, Linda McNiel, of the home; two sons, Steven McNiel of Olathe, KS and Brian McNiel of Shawnee, Kansas; daughter, Donna Nichols of Arizona; three stepchildren, Dianne Phillips, Houston, TX, Terri Lunn and family of Lone Jack, MO, and Michael Phillips and family of Raymore, MO; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, and many other beloved family and friends.

Butler Community Food Pantry Mass Distrbution

The Butler Community Food Pantry will have a food distribution Saturday June 27 from 8:30-11:30. 

The Food Pantry is located at 709 W. Ohio in Butler. Please bring proof you live in Bates County. bcl420

Water Off in Water District #6

Customers in Water District #6 from 52 South on N Highway are currently without water. The water has been shut off to replace a valve and should be off for approximately 2 hours.

After the water is turned back on, there will be a boil water advisory for the next 24 hours.bcl420

Man with Butler ties arrested in St. Clair County

Michael Stuart

On June 18, Michael Stuart, 30, Osceola,formerly of Butler, Missouri was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for a probation violation on an original class C felony charge of burglary-second degree. Bond is set at $5,000 cash only. The warrant was issued on May 26.

The original charge stems from an incident on Aug. 20, 2013 when Robert Lily reported someone trying to enter his house in Roscoe through a screen. He identified the man as a neighbor. An investigation led to Stuart’s arrest.
bcl420

Osceola man wanted on Misdemeanor charge

Jerry Eaton

On June 19, a St. Clair County arrest warrant was issued for Jerry Eaton, 43, Osceola, for failing to appear in court on a class A misdemeanor charge of possessing marijuana. Bond is set at $2,500 cash only. The original charge stems from an incident in October 2014.

Sheriff Scott Keeler urges those with any information on Wheatley or Eaton’s location to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.