Stolen Sequoia Leads to Arrests at Sedalia Hotel

Pettis County Deputies located an occupied stolen vehicle in the area of US 65 and Plaza Drive in the early morning hours Wednesday.

The 2012 Toyota Sequoia had been reported stolen from a business the previous afternoon. The victim stated that the suspect stole the keys from the victim’s residence.

The vehicle pulled into the Best Western hotel, 3120 South Limit Avenue, and the occupants got out. Both occupants were placed under arrest, then lead Deputies to their room to drop off a dog. The occupant of the room took custody of the dog, but refused a search. Hotel staff informed Deputies the occupant was not supposed to be in the hotel room, and asked Deputies to remove all parties.

Once the room was empty, the hotel allowed a search. Shortly afterwards, Deputies located a tissue box in a shelving area with a glass methamphetamine pipe inside. The pipe was caked with residue. Deputies also found a crystallized substance that field tested positively for methamphetamine.

The driver of the stolen vehicle, Chelsea Jolynn Klein, 30, of Sedalia, was placed on a 24-hour hold pending charges of Tampering With a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, as the room was booked in Klein’s name.

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The passenger in the vehicle was the subject who had stolen the keys, Evan Christian Bankovich, 29, of Sedalia, was placed on a 24-hour hold pending charges of Stealing a Motor Vehicle and Tampering With A Motor Vehicle in the 2nd Degree.

The subject in the room, Robert Paddon Bower, 38, of Sedalia, faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond for Klein was set at $25,000 cash or surety. Bankovich also had a bond set at $25,000 cash or surety.