A 24-year-old St. Joseph man has been charged with felonies in two area counties after a high-speed chase on Monday, September 24.
According to a post on the Brookfield Police Department’s Facebook page, when officers attempted a traffic stop, a vehicle sped away, and speeds reached nearly 90 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 36. The suspect vehicle reportedly crossed the center line of the roadway and passed officers on the right shoulder several times. The vehicle exited U.S. Highway 36 at the Callao Junction and traveled south on Highway 3, and two attempts to stop the vehicle with stop sticks were unsuccessful.
The vehicle reportedly sped through Clifton Hill and headed west on U.S. Highway 24 in Chariton County. After the vehicle reportedly ran a deputy off the roadway, officers were able to box in the Mazda and bring the chase to an end. The Mazda was reported stolen out of St. Joseph earlier in the day. During a search of the vehicle, authorities say they found methamphetamine, marijuana and other drug-related items. The vehicle was towed to the Brookfield Police Department, and it later was returned to its owner.
The Brookfield Police Department was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and Chariton County Sheriff’s Office during the pursuit.
According to online court documents, the driver of the vehicle, Patrick Curtis Clark faces Class D Felonies for Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid and a Class E Felony for Resisting Arrest, Detention or Stop by Fleeing-Creating a Substantial Risk of Serious Injury or Death to Any Person in Linn County. Bond has been set at $50,000 cash, surety or 10-percent cash. He also has been charged with a Class D Felony for Assault in the Third Degree- Special Victim and a driving-related misdemeanor in Chariton County. Bond has been fixed at $5,000 cash only.
The Facebook post says additional charges from other jurisdictions are pending.