Pursuit of Smithton Man Ends in Cooper County

On Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 11:08 p.m., Sedalia Police attempted to stop a vehicle inside the city limits, but the driver fled and a pursuit was initiated. Pettis County Sheriff's deputies took over the pursuit with the assistance of the MSHP. The pursuit continued east on US 50 into Morgan County.

The driver then turned north on Highway 5, entering Cooper County. Morgan County deputies then joined the pursuit, as well as several MSHP Troopers from Troop A and F. Troopers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle with Stop Sticks, but the driver went off road to avoid them.

As the driver went into the ditch, a rear-seat passenger jumped out of the vehicle.

The driver was later identified as Jakson Alexander Hewett-Jones of Smithton.

Cooper County deputies and Boonville Police then joined the pursuit as the suspect vehicle continued towards I-70 in Cooper County. Hewett-Jones finally stopped in the parking lot of Loves Truck Stop and the suspect was taken into custody. He was wanted on a Pettis County warrant.

During the chase, deputies learned that he would not allow his two passengers out of the vehicle and also learned that he was tampering with evidence during the pursuit.

Pettis County deputies will be submitting charges for felony resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence, 2nd degree assault and 1st degree kidnapping.

The Pettis County Sheriff's Office thanked the MSHP, including Troop A out of Lee's Summit and Troop F out of Jeff City, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, the Cooper County Sherriff's Office, Boonville Police Department, MSHP Dispatch, Cooper County Dispatch and Morgan County Central Dispatch for their assistance during the pursuit.