Deputies Make Trafficking Arrests After Camper Chase on 16th Street
On the afternoon of November 5th, a Pettis County Deputy observed a truck and camper traveling north on US 65 Hwy at approximately 86 MPH.
The Deputy turned around and caught up with the vehicle near 32nd and Limit (US 65). Deputies observed the truck and camper passing other motorists, and saw it swerve into the right lane multiple times.
Emergency equipment was activated to initiate a stop. However, the driver failed to yield as he drove through the McDonald's parking lot near West 16th Street and South Limit Avenue. The vehicle proceeded onto 16th Street, east bound. The Deputy’s emergency siren was then activated.
The driver of the truck continued failing to yield and traveled east, reaching speeds of 72 MPH. During the fleeing, the driver of the truck struck a school bus near the intersection of East 16th Street and South Hancock Avenue, resulting in injury to the driver (the school bus was unoccupied other than the driver). The pursuit continued east on 16th Street to M Hwy and ultimately drove into a field near 28th Street.
Once stopped, the driver of the truck, later identified as Joshua Ewing, 33, of Strasburg, Missouri, fled on foot through the field. He ran eastbound, climbed over a fence, and was caught by Deputies. He was taken into custody by responding deputies without incident. A female passenger, Alicia Ealey, 26, off Raytown, Missouri, was taken into custody inside the truck.
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A search of the truck ensued resulting in the seizure of a fully loaded Ruger 9mm, between the middle and passenger seat. Deputies also noted a fixed blade knife was wedged between the middle seat and the driver's eat. A black and orange zipper pouch on the floor board contained a clear plastic bag with half an ounce of a white crystal substance that later tested positively for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Also found in the vehicle were a digital scale, Narcan, two pipes, straws, folded aluminum foil with burn marks, folded paper with a white residue, a lighter, and an EBT card. Officers also located multiple torch lighters and a methamphetamine glass water pipe, along with just over $1,000.00 US Currency, and Xanax. A check of the truck through NCIC revealed that the truck was stolen.
Post Miranda, during an interview with the Pettis County Sheriff's Deputies, Ewing said the passenger pulled the handgun from her purse and pointed it at him at the beginning of the vehicle stop, and threatened to shoot him if he stopped. He also stated nothing in vehicle belonged to him. However, the probable cause report notes Ewing has prior charges of Resisting Arrest by Flight, and Tampering With a Motor Vehicle. In fact, he is currently on parole on a charge of Tampering With a Motor Vehicle.
Both suspects were transported to the Pettis County Jail on the following charges:
Joshua Ewing, 33, Strasburg
felony Aggravated Fleeing a Stop Causing Physical Injury, felony Armed Criminal Action, felony Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree, felony Delivery of a Controlled Substance, felony Unlawful Possession of a Firearm*, felony Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree and felony Tampering With the Property of Another in the 2nd Degree.
Alicia Ealey, 26, Kansas City
Alicia Ealey faces charges of: Probation Violation with a bond of $5,000 cash or surety (pre-existing from Clay County from 2021, original charges of Possession of an Imitation Controlled Substance), felony Trafficking Drugs in the 2nd Degree, felony Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and misdemeanor Tampering With the Property of Another in the 2nd Degree.
Ealey stated Ewing had pulled the gun from the backseat of the vehicle and tossed it at her to get it out of his possession. She stated the drugs were his, although she did identify the substance in the white paper as crushed Xanax.
The Pettis County Prosecutor’s Office filed all charges against both defendants. Bond was not given for Ewing. Bond for Ealey was set at $150,000.00 cash or surety in addition to the pre-existing $5,000.00 bond.
This investigation is ongoing both externally and internally.
*Ewing is a felon. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition. This includes nearly all felony convictions, except for those related to business practices or foreign convictions.
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