Two persons were arrested after a reported pursuit in Cooper County on Tuesday, December 21.

According to Cooper County Sheriff Chris Class, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle southbound on Highway 87 near Prairie Home. The vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued, with speeds varying from 45 to 80 mph. The pursuit went south on Highway 87 into Moniteau County and continued toward California.

During the pursuit, the deputy observed the occupants tossing items out of the vehicle. A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper deployed a spike strip, deflating tires on the vehicle just outside of California. The pursuit ended in the city limits of California, and the two occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody.

Authorities say during the investigation, narcotics, paraphernalia and checks not belonging to either occupant were located. The two checks located were found to be stolen from two different victims in Ottawa and Overland Park, Kansas. That investigation is continuing.

The Cooper County Prosecutor filed charges against the two occupants of the vehicle: 29-year-old Cynthia Barnard, of Lathrop, is charged with possession of controlled substance and resisting arrest, detention and stop by fleeing. Bond is set at $25,000 cash or surety; and 35-year-old Robert Tinoco, of Kansas City, is charged with possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety.

An initial hearing for each of the accused is pending at Cooper County Circuit Court.