A Stolen Minivan is Recovered 15 Minutes After it was Reported Missing

It’s starting to get cold outside and that means people are starting their cars then going back inside their homes or place of employment. Well, yesterday early morning, a woman in the 2800 block of South Wisconsin did just that.  Later as she was preparing to load her kids for school, she witnessed a man drive away in her 2015 Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

When officers started to search for the stolen van they drove to a location where last week they recovered a different stolen vehicle.  In the driveway at 2724 South Minnesota, less than 15 minutes later, they found the van and witnessed John E. Gregory III removing items from the vehicle.

Gregory was charged with stealing a motor vehicle and remains jail on a $4000.00 bond.

The Joplin Police Department reminds residents that this time of year they see a spike in vehicle thefts in the mornings from people starting their cars and leaving them unattended.