Man Arrested For Tampering, Resisting Arrest

A Steelville man was arrested April 22 after allegedly stealing a vehicle and fleeing authorities weeks prior.

Larry Ransom, 27, is charged with first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. 

Ransom allegedly abandoned the vehicle near the Wesco Cemetery. Inside the vehicle, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department found his driver’s license and mobile phone.

According to the probable cause statement, deputies took a report April 5 of a stolen Chevrolet Blazer and GMC truck from a Cuba residence. 

Around 3:30 p.m., Crawford County Cencom received a call that the owner was railing the stolen truck on Highway 19. Authorities picked up the vehicle at Highway 19 and Highway 8 in Steelville. A vehicle pursuit ensued, reaching Highway M. The driver passed a deputy in an unmarked vehicle with no lights. 

The truck was later located in Wesco. 

On April 22, Ransom was brought to the sheriff’s department for questioning. He told deputies his license had been stolen and that he was at his grandmother’s funeral the day the vehicles were stolen. 

Deputies did not tell Ransom which specific day the theft occurred. When they told him April 5, Ransom said his grandmother’s funeral was the day before. Ransom said he had been “cleaning things out after her funeral.” 

Deputies found that Ransom’s grandmother had a funeral March 23 in Farmington. Ransom confirmed by picture it was the correct obituary. When he was confronted with the dates, he continued to deny involvement and the interview was terminated.

Ransom is being held on a $15,000 bond.