JOPLIN, Mo. — Friday evening, March 3rd, 2023, at approximately 9:21 p.m. Joplin Police officers responded to a business alarm at Worden’s Meats, 1442 E. 32nd St.
A male suspect was observed fleeing the scene and entering a nearby storage building. It was learned the business had been burglarized, causing the alarm notification.
Officers responded to the area, set up a perimeter and utilized a police K-9 to search for the suspect. During a search of the area, officers located the suspect and were able to take him into custody without incident.
— CAPT WILL DAVIS OF JPD
Suspect is identified as Clayton D. Burke, 24 and address is listed as homeless.
Burke also had a stolen cash register from Worden’s Meats with him and was wearing the same clothing from surveillance cameras.
“During his arrest, Burke also had a Ziploc baggie containing Methamphetamine on him,” Capt Davis states.
Burke was arrested on charges:
Felony Burglary 2nd Degree
Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
Property Damage 1st Degree
Stealing
Trespass 2nd Degree
After further investigators have linked Burke to three other recent nearby Burglary and Theft cases:
Burglary of Red Wing Shoes at 2914 E 32nd St.
Burglary of unnamed office at 2914 E 32nd St.
Theft from vehicle at Flowers Foods at 2815 E. 32nd St. (bread store).
Additional charges are being sought related to those incidents.
Shannon Becker was born and raised in Joplin and began in radio before graduating from Joplin Senior High in 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Missouri Southern State University (1994). Before launching Joplin News First in 2017, he worked in television and radio, overlapping a career in the music industry. He worked with major music artists for 20 years, garnering gold and platinum records to his credit. He comes to KOAM 7 News Now-CBS/FOX (Morgan-Murphy Media) with more than 30 years in media and entertainment. He previously worked for KOAM. He has five children and two grandchildren.
