Probable cause: Joplin man stopped for car theft says, "There's going to be methamphetamine in my blood"

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest by fleeing charges, as well as misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, driving while revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia charges against a Joplin man today following an early morning pursuit by the Joplin Police Department.

An arrest warrant was issued for Dawson Allen Ray Howell (DOB 1998) with bond set at $150,000 cash or surety.

From the probable cause statement:

On 05/28/2025 I, Officer C. Moreno, was dispatched to 1904 E 20th St (Casey's) reference a motor vehicle theft. 

The victim, identified as Chad Read, stated he observed he was vehicle was stolen at this address. Read stated he observed a white male with a shaved head and wearing a black t-shirt driving his vehicle in the parking lot. Read stated he wished to pursue charges. 

Officers located the vehicle, activated their emergency lights and siren, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and had sparks coming from underneath it when it hit a bump. 

Officers located the vehicle at E 15th St / S Highview Ave facing east in the westbound lane and with the driver's side tires on the curb. Officer Tobolski and Encarnacion located a white male with no shirt, a shaved head, face tattoos, later identified as Dawson Howell, outside a residence near the vehicle. A black t-shirt was located on the ground near Howell. 

Upon search incident to arrest, Officer Encarnacion located a glass pipe containing a burnt white crystal-like substance was located in Howell's front left pocket. I brought Read to his vehicle and he identified a black hoodie with white writing on the chest as an item which did not belong to him. 

I contacted Casey's employee James Dixon who stated a male matching Howell's description walked into Casey's wearing a black hoodie with white writing just after Read. 

Dixon stated an unidentified female informed him Howell had stolen Read's vehicle. Dispatch confirmed using Howell's identifying information that his driving status was suspended. 

Officer Encarnacion conducted a DWI investigation. During the investigation, Dawson displayed numerous signs of impairment. 

While preforming standardized field sobriety test, Dawson made the statement "I am so high right now, I can't balance." 

Additionally, after consenting to a chemical test sample of his blood, Dawson stated "There is going to be methamphetamine in my blood." 

Dawson also confessed to being under the influence of methamphetamine, and stated he last consumed methamphetamine shortly before being contacted and arrested by Officers.

Jasper County Circuit Court records show Howell pleaded guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle in 2021 and was sentenced to five years in prison.