Two individuals were arrested early Friday morning in St. Charles County following the theft of fuel in Franklin County that led to a multi-jurisdictional pursuit.
Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke reported that, at 12 a.m. on Friday morning, deputies were informed of a stealing in progress on Amber Ridge Dr. located off Highway A. The suspects had reportedly just stolen fuel from this location.
A deputy was positioned at Highway A and YY and observed a vehicle pass his location fitting the description of the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle description was vague; however, the deputy followed the suspect vehicle some distance as authorities attempted to obtain a better description. The deputy then attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle at Highway A and Highway 100.
As the deputy approached the suspect vehicle, a truck, the driver accelerated the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The deputy then returned to his patrol car and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit eventually crossed the Missouri River bridge at Washington and into Warren County.
The Missouri Highway Patrol attempted to deploy road spikes to stop the suspect vehicle at Highway 94, but this was unsuccessful.
The patrol and Warren County deputies then joined in the pursuit and the Franklin County officer discontinued his pursuit.
The pursuit continued into Warren and St. Charles counties for more than two hours, and it was also reported that the suspect vehicle rammed a patrol car.
“It is our information that the suspects eventually drove to a residence; at which time, authorities in St. Charles entered the residence and took two suspects into custody,” said Toelke.
The suspects admitted to stealing gasoline in Franklin County and are identified as a white male, age 20, of Wentzville, and a white male, 22, of Marthasville.