Two arrested for stealing telecommunications wire

Two area men are in custody for stealing telecommunications wire.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s office says on Sunday, June 30th, in an investigation with the  Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Jordan Romero, 35, of Joplin and Mark Cravener, 50, of Joplin, were arrested at 4326 W. Deer Meadow Lane, Joplin, for stealing telecommunications wire belonging to AT&T.

The two were apprehended while burning the insulation off the stolen wire in a burn pit at the above residence.

Romero and Cravener are charged with receiving and possessing stolen property.

This arrest marks Romero’s second related offense this year. He was previously been arrested by Jasper County Deputies at a residence at 1105 Monroe in Joplin on March 27, 2024, for the theft of approximately 1,000 feet of telecommunications wire.

A warrant for stealing was issued for him at that time with $10,000 cash only bond condition. However, on April 10, 2024 his bond was lowered to $2,000 cash and he posted that bond and was released.

Romero was alleged to have committed the theft in March while he was out on bond for a charges of  violating his probation and robbery.