Accused Car Thief Arrested by Pettis County Deputies

On the afternoon of October 8th, Pettis County Deputies responded to the area of US 65 Highway and Route B in Pettis County, in reference to a stolen vehicle.

The owner spoke with Deputies, and stated he was tracking his vehicle he had reported stolen earlier in the day to the Gladstone Police Department. The Sedalia Police Department contacted the reporting party, and obtained updates on the location of the vehicle.

The vehicle was located at the Boonville Trailer Park, in the 1300 block of East Boonville Street. Deputies arrived on scene and observed the vehicle. The driver quickly jumped out of the vehicle and started to run north within the trailer park. Deputies gave chase, yelling verbal commands. The suspect was ordered to the ground at gunpoint, and complied.

Arrested was Matthew Ryan Johnson, 33, of Warsaw. Johnson was found to be in possession of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine, along with Psilocybin Mushrooms, a loaded firearm, and other paraphernalia associated with drug use. The controlled substances were located between money in various denominations and several zip bags, accompanied with a scale.

Johnson was transported to the Pettis County Jail to be held on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges of Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Resisting Arrest by Fleeing, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Driving While Revoked. Johnson was later issued a cash or surety bond of $60,000.