By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Two people were arrested Sunday night following a pursuit that originated in Wright City and extended through three counties. Speeds in excess of 100 mph were …
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Wright City police chase ends in Callaway County
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorTwo people were arrested Sunday night following a pursuit that originated in Wright City and extended through three counties.Speeds in excess of 100 mph were reached as the 1 1/2-hour pursuit continued on westbound Interstate 70 until ending west of Auxvasse in Callaway County.Authorities said three children, all under the age of 3, were in the vehicle.The driver, identified as 28-year-old Thaddeus Eugene Johnson Jr., was charged Monday with felony resisting arrest. His wife, 25-year-old Mindy Johnson, was a passenger in the car and was charged with felony drug possession. Both are being held in the Warren County Jail.A Wright City police officer was patrolling in the area of the North Service Road and Wildcat Avenue around 8:36 p.m. The officer recognized Thaddeus Johnson, who had an active warrant for a parole violation, and attempted to stop the vehicle he was driving, according to Wright City Lt. Tim Matthews.Johnson allegedly sped away and got on Interstate 70 in Warrenton. The pursuit continued on Highway 19 through Montgomery City and then headed west on Highway B.Authorities said Johnson ignored stop signs, passed vehicles in oncoming lanes of traffic, exceeded speeds of 105 mph and swerved at vehicles during the pursuit.Missouri troopers placed a spike strip at the intersection of Highway B and County Road 1013 between Montgomery City and Auxvasse to deflate the tires of Johnson’s car, according to the probable cause statement.The pursuit finally ended around 10:04 p.m. with Johnson still driving the vehicle with one tire missing and three flats.While searching the car, police seized two small plastic bags that contained a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The drugs were located in a safe that allegedly belonged to Mindy Johnson, according to the probable cause statement.Three children — ranging from newborn to 3 years old — were inside the car during the pursuit, Police Chief Matt Eskew said. The children are now in protective custody. Child endangerment charges will be sought, Eskew said.Online court records list the couple as residing in Mexico, Mo., though Thaddeus Johnson formerly lived in Wright City.He has previous convictions for drug possession, fraudulent use of a credit device and drunk driving from incidents that occurred in Laclede and Pulaski counties, according to court records.
Thaddeus Johnson Jr. (left) and Mindy Johnson (right)
