For further information please contact: Sgt. Jason Clark
(573) 522-0980
DDCC080107
August 1, 2007

EMPHASIS: Burglary Investigation


Captain Luke Vislay, director of the Division of Drug and Crime Control, Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the arrests of several subjects in connection with an ongoing burglary investigation. The investigation was related to a burglary that occurred on July 26, 2007, at Nick’s Gun and Pawn, in West Plains, Missouri.

On July 26, the West Plains Police Department received a report of a burglary at Nick’s Gun and Pawn, 1705 Porter Wagner Boulevard, West Plains. Reported stolen during the burglary were 44 firearms, a large amount of ammunition, and numerous high capacity magazines for the firearms. Information developed during the investigation revealed that many of those firearms could be located at a residence in West Plains. The West Plains Police/Howell County SWAT Team served a search warrant on the residence on Saturday, July 28. During the search, one of the stolen firearms was recovered behind the residence in a wooded area. During the next three days, officers recovered 21 more of the stolen weapons and arrested the following individuals for burglary in the second degree and stealing:

Daniel Wilson, 23, West Plains, Missouri
Patrick Mitchell, 23, West Plains, Missouri
Jonluc Ettinger, 19, West Plains, Missouri
Michael Greer, 18, West Plains, Missouri
Dustin, Grimm, 17, West Plains, Missouri
Kevin Puckett, 19, West Plains, Missouri

One juvenile was arrested and referred to the 37th Judicial Juvenile Office.

On August 1, 2007, the investigative team traveled to Thorndale, Texas, where they located and arrested Joey Allen Marcak, 18, of West Plains. Marcak was brought back to West Plains, Missouri, and was charged with burglary in the second degree and stealing. Eight additional firearms, ammunition, and high capacity magazines also were recovered in Texas.

Participating agencies in the ongoing investigation include: the West Plains Police Department, Howell County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, South Central Drug Task Force, and the 37th Judicial Juvenile Office.

The above charges are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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