A news release from the Linn County Sheriff’s office says just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11 a deputy attempted a traffic stop of a red Chevrolet truck on Vernon Street in Laclede. The truck was driven by 37-year-old Matthew Guilford, of Brookfield.
Guilford had a warrant for his arrest from Linn County for felony possession of a controlled substance and felony trafficking drugs. The warrant was the result of an investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Guilford also had a Federal Parole warrant issued for his arrest with the original charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
Guilford failed to stop for the Linn County Deputy and a lengthy pursuit ensued.
A news release from Livingston County Sheriff, Steve Cox says just before 3 p.m. his department received a call from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance in a vehicle pursuit heading toward Livingston County and Linn County line. The red Chevrolet Silverado was reportedly being driven by Guilford, who is believed to be an extremely violent and dangerous felon. It was believed the subject was likely armed and a person of interest in a recent armed robbery.
He nearly collided with a Livingston County Sheriff vehicle head-on when he went north of U.S. Highway 36 near Wheeling. Once the suspect was westbound on U.S. Highway 36, a Livingston County Deputy was able to deploy spike strips and take out the passenger side front tire. The driver continued down the highway and reportedly crossed the highway into on-coming traffic in the eastbound lanes. Once he got to Chillicothe, he exited U.S. 36 Highway, the wrong way, onto U.S. Highway 65 via the eastbound on ramp.
The suspect proceeded to travel southbound on U.S. Highway 65 at at speeds near 100 mph. At one point the right front tire on the suspect vehicle went flat and came off the rim near Carrollton. Carrollton Police Department blocked off entrances into Carrollton and the chase continued south on U.S. Highway 65 into Saline County.
Once the suspect entered Saline County, speeds obviously backed down, three more State Troopers were able to successfully deploy spike strips.
Marshall and Saline County officers blocked entrances into Marshall from U.S. Highway 65 and gave the suspect opportunity to only continue south. The suspect vehicle came to rest near Drake Rd. and U.S. 65 Highway without at least 2 tires. The driver was taken into custody about 3:55 p.m. without incident.
Sheriff Cox claims he observed methamphetamine scattered on the driver’s seat and interior of the vehicle. Evidence was collected by Saline County authorities.
The release goes on to say that law enforcement witnessed the suspect throwing item(s) from the vehicle and at least one item was located by Missouri Fire Marshall Investigator along U.S. Highway 65, south of Chillicothe.
Guilford is currently in custody at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office with bond for the Linn County warrant set at $50,000 cash only. No bond is authorized on the federal parole warrant.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is expected to apply for formal charges against Guilford in multiple counties in relation to the additional alleged crimes committed on February 11, 2020.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Brookfield Police Department, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Chillicothe Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Carrollton Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The charges for which Guilford was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence
**Update: 0100 Wednesday, February 12, 2020
A post on the Carrollton Police Department’s Facebook page says the department will not persue local charges against Guilford since there were no injuries to any Carrollton resident and there was no property damage within the city limits.