MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop B Headquarters - 308 Pine Crest Drive - Macon, Missouri 63552

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Eric F. Brown
(660) 385-2132
June 19, 2017
B17046

EMPHASIS: Arrest Following A Pursuit In Marion County

At approximately 12:58 p.m., on June 17, 2017, a Missouri state trooper responded to a report of suspicious activity near the Phildelphia, Missouri, area. A member of the public had contacted the trooper in reference to three people who appeared to be lost and were acting strangely. The caller provided a descripton of the vehicle the subjects were driving. While driving to the area, the trooper met the vehicle on Missouri Highway 168, east of Philadelphia. When the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled, resulting in a vehicle pursuit. The occupants later abandoned the vehicle in the Woodland, Missouri, area, southwest of Palmyra, Missouri, and fled on foot.
A search of the area, in an attempt to locate the suspects, was not successful. During the investigation, troopers identified one suspect as Jaron W. Richards, 19, of New London, Missouri. Richards had felony warrants for his arrest from Marion and Ralls counties for resisting arrest, and a probation warrant for resisting arrest.
On June 18, 2017, Richards was observed two times by members of the public, but he was not apprehended. In an attempt to successfully locate the suspect; and protect the public and property in the area, the Missouri State Highway Patrol sent two Twitter messages describing the subject and where he was last seen. The media outlets in the immediate area were contacted directly and provided the information. In addition, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department updated their Facebook page with the same message.
On June 18, 2017, Richards made contact with an area resident who was working in his garage. The resident recognized Richards based on the information he had heard from a media news alert. The resident drew Richards into a conversation while another person contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. At approximately 4:09 p.m., Richards was contacted at the residence and placed under arrest.
The Misssouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ralls County Sheriff’s Office, and the Palmyra Police Department.
Captain James E. Wilt, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, is thankful for the assistance of both the media and the public in locating Richards.
“When law enforcement agencies work together with the public and the media, criminals stand a much better chance of being apprehended.” Captain Wilt would like to encourage the public to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol anytime they need assistance, or see something that seems out of place. The non-emergency line for the Missouri State Highway Patrol is 660-385-2132. The emergency number from a cellular telephone is *55. You can also follow Troop B on Twitter @MSHPTrooperB.
The charges for which the individual was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the chargers must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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