Press Release
Joplin Public Library Statue Theft Arrest
On May 30th, 2023, the Joplin Police Department received a report of a theft of a statue from the
Joplin Public Library, located at 1901 E. 20th Street in Joplin. It was reported that a bronze
statue of two small children reading a book on a bench was stolen at approximately 4:00 a.m. on
May 29th from outside the main entrance to the library. The statue was valued at $5,300.
Through further investigation, a Joplin Police Detective was able to positively identify the
offender in the theft after a review of the surveillance video. In the video, the Detective
observed the suspect appear on the property, then return and begin cutting the statue from its
secure ground mount with a reciprocating saw. The suspect was observed loading the statue on a
dolly and wheeling it away from the property. On June 1st, Officers with the Joplin Police
Department were able to locate the suspect and place him under arrest. The suspect has been
identified as Larry A. Hart, age 56, of Joplin, Missouri. A charge of Stealing (Class D Felony)
was filed by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, with a bond of $25,000 surety
plus $10,000 cash.
The investigation into this incident is still active, and Detectives are asking for the help of the
public in locating the stolen statue and the identity of others possibly involved in this theft. If
you have any information regarding this incident, we ask that you please contact Joplin Police
Detective John Watkins at 417-623-3131 x1603. A photograph of the stolen statue is attached,
along with a recent mugshot of Larry Hart.
