A woman who was helping her sister-in-law to the car after a recent physical therapy appointment in Arnold had her car stolen as she stood and watched. The theft happened about 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at SSM Physical Therapy in the Arnold Park Mall.
“The victim pulled her vehicle to the entryway door to pick up her sister-in-law. She got out of the car with the car still running, went around to the other side and was opening the passenger door when a male entered the driver’s-side door and drove off,” Jones said.
The suspect, driving the stolen gold, 2005 Chevy Malibu, turned onto southbound I-55, and a short time later, a Pevely Police officer spotted the driver and pursued the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. When the Pevely officer reached the Hwy. A exit ramp, he lost sight of the stolen vehicle, Pevely Sgt. Gregory Long said.
Festus Police then spotted the vehicle and pursued it, with help from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“The driver continued southbound on I-55 passing Hwy. 61 and entering Ste. Genevieve County,” Jones said. “Stop sticks (tire deflation devices) were deployed and the vehicle was disabled and came to a stop.”
A 44-year-old man from Scott City was arrested, Jones said.
Scott City is in Scott County in southeast Missouri.
“(The suspect) said he wanted to go home and was trying to get home,” Jones said. “It was the only reason he gave.”
Arnold Police booked the man and released him pending application for warrants. Jones said Arnold Police will seek charges against the man through the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for theft of a motor vehicle.
The man also faces multiple traffic violations in Pevely,” Jones said. “I do not know what Festus Police or (the Missouri State Highway Patrol) have (as far as potential charges).”