On October 4, 2013 at approximately 11:08 pm, officers with the Joplin Police Department along with the Joplin Fire Department were dispatched to the Planned Parenthood building located at 710 S. Illinois for a report of a structure fire. An officer arrived shortly after the call was received and was able to extinguish the fire. There was minor damage done to the building.

It appears from video surveillance that the suspect placed a bag on the roof of the building near the electrical box of the building and lit the bag on fire. We are continuing to follow up on leads to determine whether the two incidents at Planned Parenthood are connected. In each incident the suspect wore similar clothing; however, we are unable to determine at this time whether this is the same suspect.

The Joplin Police Department is currently following up on leads to this case as well as the first attempt and the investigation is on-going. The Joplin Police Department is working in conjunction with the FBI, ATF, Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office, and the Joplin Fire Department Fire Marshall.

A picture of the suspect is attached.

If anyone has any information on who this suspect might be, please contact the Joplin Police Department. You can contact us via phone at 417-623-3131, on our web page at www.joplinpolice.org, on our Facebook page at www.facebook/JoplinPD, or submit a tip to the Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 417-782-TIPZ or on their web page at www.heartlandtipz.com. You can also contact the FBI office at 816-512-8200, the ATF office at 417-837-2100, or the Missouri Arson Hotline at 800-39-ARSON (800-392-7766).