It’s an ordinary New Year’s resolution to work harder or take up a side gig to make a little more money, but a few area individuals are taking that sentiment too far.
In the early morning of Jan. 5, a man walked into the Wheaton Fastrip with a handgun, demanded money and walked out. Two days later, three individuals in a truck stolen from Rogers, Ark., tied a chain to the ATM at Freedom Bank in Seligman, escaping with likely thousands of dollars and dumping the stolen vehicle less than half a mile away.
Gunpoint robbery and ATM burglary are not sustainable side gigs unless your ultimate goal is to get free meals from behind bars.
The suspect in the Wheaton robbery has been arrested, charged with three felonies, including the A felony of first-degree robbery.
According to the statement filed by Wheaton Police Chief Clint Danforth, the man, 38-year-old Jonathan Worthington, of Aurora, was with a female and drove through the parking lot once before circling back and committing the robbery.
After photos of the suspect were shared on social media, more than 50 tips came to the Wheaton PD, Barry County dispatch, Facebook messenger and other sources.
While not all the leads were valid, many identified Worthington, ultimately leading to his arrest for the robbery.
Local tips helping to solve the Seligman case may be harder to come by. Calls in that case, Sheriff Danny Boyd said, are mostly coming from the Garfield, Ark., area, and he does not believe the three suspects are Barry County residents.
Nonetheless, authorities are chasing those leads, and because a bank is a victim, federal law enforcement is also helping track the individuals responsible.
The proximity of these two crimes is enough to put folks on edge, and it’s not the first time recently. Just a month ago, businesses in the heart of Cassville were taking extra safety precautions due to a serial burglar. That suspect, 20-year-old Jamison Jump, of Cassville, is facing more than 30 charges after allegedly breaking into at least 10 businesses, and more charges may yet be coming.
That type of property crime is the most common here, desperate people who break into unlocked cars or bolder ones that may kick in a back door or window to take a business’ cash register.
I can count on one hand the number of times I have reported a robbery at gunpoint in the last 9 years here, but things like stolen vehicles and property theft are so frequent only more significant cases warrant coverage.
ATM burglary is also a rare one. The amount was still being calculated Monday morning, but the suspects knew enough that Boyd expected around $10,000 was stolen.
That’s a hefty theft compared to the Wheaton Fastrip robbery, where only $211 was taken.
After such crime waves, the question always comes: what’s behind this, and how can we stop it?
Locally, Barry County residents who find themselves running into the law typically face charges of meth possession or theft, or both. Weather also plays a role, especially in the cold of winter and the heat of summer.
It’s a cycle. Meth costs money, and some searching for the next fix will go to socially unacceptable lengths to get it, even if an easier answer is right in front of them. That appears to be the case with Jump, and we hope at his age, he can find help and a better path forward.
As for Worthington, one astute social media commenter pointed out he could have sold the gun used in the robbery and made more than he took from the register. Instead, his future now hangs in the balance over less money than it takes to buy a week’s groceries for a family of four.
The trio escaping with ATM money may be enjoying the ride now, but one way or another, the law typically catches up with such brazen criminals.
Kudos should be given to those who called or messaged concerning the Wheaton case. That kind of community engagement and communication is invaluable to police during investigations. As Danforth said, it would have been a much more difficult case to solve without the assistance.
Kudos should also go to Danforth and any others assisting in that investigation. While tips from the public are always welcome and help overall, not all tips pan out.
Keeping fingers away from pointing at the innocent is just as important as capturing the person responsible.
As the new year moves through its second week, I hope we resolve to stay vigilant as a community. Report suspicious activity, contact law enforcement if you can give pertinent information in a case and look out for your friends and neighbors.
The more we work with one another to sort out the rabble, the more successful we will be.
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014. In 2017, he was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers, and in 2022, he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cherryroad.com.
