Two Wheaton men arrested for Yonkerville Store robbery

Hartkopp

Hooper

April 13, 2016
Charlea Estes
      Two men were arrested for the Yonkerville Store robbery and ended up with multiple charges for different crimes. Jerry Ray Hartkopp, 54, of Wheaton, and James Erick Hooper, 25, of Wheaton, are both being charged for the burglary and are being held in the Barry County Jail.
      According to affidavits of probable cause, Hartkopp and Hooper broke into the Yonkerville Store located 2912 Highway 60 in Monett on March 27 around 5 a.m. To gain entry, the two caused over $1,000 worth of damage to the doors. Once inside, they stole around $175 in cash as well as collectible coins and credit cards.
      According to the probable cause by Barry County Sheriff’s Detective Robert Evenson, a security guard for Jack Henry saw Hooper’s vehicle leaving the scene and took down the license plate number. Once questioned, Hooper admitted that he and Hartkopp committed the burglary with Hooper as the look out.
      Hooper and Hartkopp were each charged with burglary in the second degree, property damage in the first degree and stealing. They were each issued $15,000 cash-only bonds for those charges.
      Both men received additional charges related to drugs when Evenson and Detective Doug Henry served search warrants at their residences in Wheaton on March 31. Hooper’s apartment on North Kelly had multiple drug-related items in the kitchen. The detectives found drug paraphernalia, loaded syringes, scales, Sudafed and methamphetamine held in Ice Breakers mint containers for distribution. Hooper’s residence was located within 2,000 feet of government funded housing.
      Hooper was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and attempted distribution of a controlled substance. A $40,000 cash-only bond was issued for those charges.
      When the detectives search Hartkopp’s residence on Hurlburt Street in Wheaton, Hartkopp’s girlfriend, Marsha Branham, slammed and locked the door to keep officers out, according to Det. Evenson. Hartkopp was working at George’s at the time the search warrant was served. Branham was allegedly in the process of trying to hide or destroy drug evidence when they gained entry into the house.
      Officers found drugs and drug paraphernalia in a search of the bedroom that Hartkopp and Branham shared. According to Evenson, Branham also stated that she and Hartkopp had used methamphetamine earlier in the day.
      Hartkopp and Branham were each charged with possession of a controlled substance and issued $15,000 bonds.
      Branham was released on the bond on April 2. Hartkopp is currently being held in the Barry County Jail on a $30,000 bond, and Hooper is being held on a $95,000 bond.