The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reported that they were involved in two different vehicle pursuits within a week.
The first took place on Monday, June 29, starting at 3:14 p.m. near the Monroe County YMCA in Columbia.
Detective Sgt. Justin Biggs reported that deputies in the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Unit observed a northbound vehicle on State Route 3 at EE Road with license plates that did not match the vehicle. The deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not.
The vehicle traveled northbound on State Route 3, continuing west onto Interstate 255. The Monroe County deputies terminated their pursuit of the vehicle as it started traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 from Linbergh Blvd. in St. Louis County, Missouri. Neighboring police agencies assisted and took over the pursuit at this point.
Initially, the deputies reported seeing a female driving the vehicle, but during the course of the pursuit, the woman switched with a male passenger. Also during the pursuit, the occupants of the vehicle threw out several items, which were suspected to be narcotics.
For more on this incident, please see this week’s print edition.