On July 31, deputies were advised of a hit-and-run crash in Wright City involving a suspect who was believed to be headed toward Montgomery County. The suspect vehicle was described as a white Ford F-150. A short time later deputies received a report of a possibly intoxicated male walking into traffic along Interstate 70 in the High Hill area. Deputies located the individual, who appeared to be highly intoxicated and claimed he was walking home to Illinois from Maryland Heights. During the investigation, deputies located the subject’s vehicle in the High Hill area. The vehicle had extensive damage and matched the description of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run crash in Wright City. Wright City authorities were notified and the subject was arrested and transported to the MC Jail, where he was placed on a 12-hour protective custody hold pending further investigation.

On August 2, deputies responded to a hotel in New Florence for a report of suspected illegal drug activity in one of the rooms. During the investigation deputies made contact with the room’s occupants. During a consensual search of the room, deputies located a glass jar containing approximately 4.2 grams of methamphetamine along with several small baggies containing methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested, transported to the MC Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On August 3, deputies responded to Jonesburg for a report of a possible domestic disturbance. The caller reported that a male subject was beating on his girlfriend. During the investigation deputies met with the alleged victim, who stated she had not been assaulted. She explained that the male subject had returned home from the bar and was banging on the door but never made physical contact with her. Deputies attempted to locate the male subject after he left the area but were unsuccessful. Neighbors who witnessed the incident confirmed the victim’s account. Based on the investigation no criminal offense was identified and no further law enforcement action was necessary.

On August 5, deputies responded to Love’s Truck Stop for a report of a theft. Through the course of the investigation deputies learned an unknown male subject approached the victim and asked to use his cellphone. The victim allowed the suspect to use the phone and later discovered approximately $2,000 had been transferred from his Cash App account. The victim was unable to provide any additional identifying information about the suspect. This incident serves as an important reminder that smartphones often contain access to banking apps, payment services, personal information and other sensitive data. Never allow someone you do not know to use your phone, as doing so can provide them with access to your financial accounts or personal information. If someone requests to make a phone call consider making the call yourself and placing it on speaker rather than handing over your device.

On August 6, deputies responded to assist the Jonesburg Police Department after a report of an intoxicated male who had allegedly been observed urinating on the exterior of the Jonesburg Elementary School, before driving away. Deputies located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after observing additional traffic violations. The driver displayed numerous signs of intoxication, refused standardized field sobriety tests and was arrested. During the investigation deputies confirmed that the driver’s license was revoked and that he had an extensive history of impaired driving offenses, including multiple prior felony DWI convictions and felony convictions for driving while revoked. The suspect was transported to the MC Jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample. A search warrant was obtained for a blood draw and he was booked pending charges of habitual driving while intoxicated and felony driving while revoked.