Hillyard Industries is purchasing the property owned by WireCo Worldgroup as WireCo announces plans to shutdown its St. Joseph facility.

WireCo WorldGroup (“WireCo”) announced Thursday that it is selling its steel wire rope manufacturing facility in St. Joseph, Missouri to Hillyard Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of cleaning and hygiene products.  WireCo said it will maintain production through the final closure of the manufacturing facility, which will occur over the next several months to be completed by March 2017.

As part of this agreement, Hillyard said it plans to build a new manufacturing and national distribution center on 25 acres directly to the north of their current facilities.

Hillyard plans to use the facility to relocate and modernize their manufacturing and warehousing operations, which have been located downtown since the 1930s. Administrative offices will remain in their current location.

“WireCo has a long history in St. Joseph and we wanted that legacy preserved to the best of our ability. Hillyard Industries is a natural fit as their continued commitment to downtown and the local community is an optimal next step for the WireCo property. While we are very disappointed that our St Joseph employees are so negatively affected by the plant closing, we will be pleased to see this redevelopment come to fruition,” said Chris Ayers, CEO of WireCo.

Demolition and construction is slated to begin between 2019 and 2020, with the goal of Hillyard being fully operational in their new facility beginning in 2021 or 2022. WireCo plans to close its manufacturing facility, while continuing the fabrication division of its business in its current location.

WireCo said it will provide transition assistance to the 49 employees affected by this decision.  

“It is difficult to close any manufacturing plant, because of the impact to good people, their families and the community. The harsh reality is the global oil, gas, and crane rope markets are facing economic challenges, and every company in these industries is being affected,” said Chris Ayers, WireCo’s President and CEO.  “This sale and consolidation of our production facilities enable us to continue to service our customers at the highest quality level despite an increasingly challenging market for WireCo and our customers. We continue to focus on developing innovative products and building upon the strong WireCo brands.”

Hillyard plans to retain approximately 200 jobs in St. Joseph.

“When conversations with WireCo began, it was immediately apparent that we shared the same vision and goal of making decisions that benefit downtown St. Joseph. We want to provide opportunities for growth and reinvestment among our employees and in the downtown area where Hillyard has thrived for several generations. We are excited about this project and the vitality it will add to our local community,” said Jim Carolus, president of Hillyard.

A St. Joseph man has been charged after the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department released surveillance photos taken during a theft at a Fast-Gas convenience store over the weekend.

Michael Draik Ruddock, 27 is charged with a felony for physically taking property appropriated from victim.

According to court documents, Sunday just before 7 p.m. Ruddock is accused of entering the Fast Gas Conoco gas station located at 2005 S.E. 85th Road in Buchanan County.

“While in the gas station, Mr. Ruddock knowingly and physically took three (3) $20.00 bills from the cash register drawer that was being immediately tended to by the female gas station attendant,” said Investigator Michael Hess with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. “Mr. Ruddock took the $20.00 bills by reaching over the counter, into the cash register drawer, all while the cash register drawer was open and a transaction was occurring.”

Hess said Ruddock then ran from the gas station and into a nearby vehicle.

In a statement, Sheriff Mike Strong thanked the public for their assistance in the case after surveillance photos from the convenience store were released and a suspect later arrested.

Bail for Ruddock has been set at $5,000.  An arraignment is set for Friday.

Police have arrested a man thought of be part of a Kansas City gang and accused of robbing a victim in St. Joseph at gunpoint.

Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Dept. said Tyreese Thompson, 26 was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Kansas City.

Thompson was charged in Buchanan County Friday with a felony for second-degree robbery.

According to court documents on Feb. 27 around 12:30 p.m. officers with the St. Joseph Police Department responded to the 2300 block of Herman in reference to a robbery.

Det. A. King said in court documents that the victim met with Thompson to exchange money for back rent.

“The defendant pointed a 9MM handgun at the victim’s right knee and took $525.00,” King said. “The defendant threatened to shoot the victim if they resisted. The defendant exited the victim’s vehicle and fired a single round towards the victim. The round struck the dirt.”

King said evidence of the shooting was found including a live 9MM round, spent shell casing and a slug covered from the ground.

He said Thompson is believed to be a member of the Crip Street Gang out of Kansas City.

Thompson is being held on $50,000 cash only bond. A court date has not yet been set according to online court documents.