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UPDATE:Johnny Arehart continues to be held in the Jasper County Jail on a no bond hold for Felony Child Kidnapping (June 3, 2023). His next court date is June 21, 2023.
(L-R) Candid shots from citizen as Johnny Arehart, 28, is detained before arrest by Joplin Police. City of Joplin Mugshot.
Arehart has pending charges of Felony Vehicle Tampering from a January 2023 incident in McDonald County. An FTA warrant was issued for his arrest since missing court. However he continues to be jailed in Jasper County.
JOPLIN, Mo. - A homeless man is facing Felony Kidnapping charges after an attempted kidnapping during the Third Thursday event in Joplin on May 18, 2023.
Court paperwork filed states Johnny L. Arehart, 28, grabbed the female child and carried her away from a bounce house area while she screamed, alerting her mother.
According to Joplin Police, they received a report of the attempted child abduction near 3rd and Main Streets just after 9 p.m.
Investigators determined Arehart grabbed a 5-year-old girl outside of a bounce house at that location.
"As the suspect began trying to quickly carry the child away, the mother began chasing after the suspect, which brought the attention of bystanders in the area," JPD said in a release.
Citizens responded hearing the screams of help from the mother. They stopped and surrounded Arehart to prevent him from fleeing until officers arrived minutes later.
The child was rescued and reunited with her mother. According to JPD, the girl was unharmed but obviously upset.
Arehart is currently being held in the Joplin City Jail. The Jasper County prosecutors have requested a no bond warrant.
JPD asks if you were at Third Thursday and witnessed anything related to the incident, contact Det. Sgt. Luke Stahl at (417) 623-3131 ext. 1885.
COPYRIGHT 2023 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
