Latest entries in Police Beat
Daily coverage of crime on the MU campus and across Columbia.
Feb. 9, 2012
Police investigate gunshot calls
The Columbia Police Department responded Wednesday night to two calls of shots being fired.
At 4:45 p.m. officers were dispatched to 5707 Redwing Drive where they recovered shell casings at that address and the 5900 block of Redwing Drive. Witnesses described seeing two vehicles leaving the area, according to a news release. No injuries were reported.
At 5:45 p.m. officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Mary. According to the news release the investigation revealed a vehicle was driving south on Woodlawn when seven to eight males approached the vehicle. One of the males then fired one round at the vehicle and struck the left rear tire. Shell casings were recovered on Woodlawn near Hickman Avenue. The driver was not injured.
No arrests have been made, and both investigations are ongoing.
Feb. 4, 2012
Tony Lewis found not guilty of murder, robbery of Aaron Hobson
After only a few hours of deliberation, a 12-person jury found Tony Lewis not guilty of the second-degree murder and second-degree robbery of Aaron Hobson during MU Homecoming weekend in 2010.
Attorneys from both sides finished presenting evidence in the final case connected to the murder of Hobson on Friday after four days of testimony. The jury was given the case for deliberation Saturday morning and reached a verdict Saturday afternoon.
Prosecutors said Lewis was connected to seven other men, who have all plead guilty or were found guilty in this case, who robbed Hobson outside of a Break Time convenience store Oct. 23. Two of the men, including gunman Daron Peal, testified for the defense and said Lewis had nothing to do with the robbery or murder.
Defense said Lewis, who is from Boonville, didn’t know six of his seven co-defendants prior to the shooting, making it impossible for him to decide to commit a robbery with them.
Six of the co-defendants have been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison. The final co-defendant, Deshon Houston, will be sentenced Feb. 13. He is expected to receive eight years in prison due to a plea deal.
Feb. 3, 2012
Eight shots fired at Old Miller's Road
The Boone County Sheriff’s Department responded Thursday to reports of shots being fired at 5200 Old Miller’s Road.
Deputies discovered eight shell casings in the roadway at the High Hill Circle Trailer Court, according to a news release. No signs of property damange in the area were found.
Deputies did not find any weapons nor suspects, but residents inside the park said two males were seen in the area immediately following the shooting.
Jan. 31, 2012
Columbia man suffers gunshot wound during altercation
A 22-year-old Columbia male was taken to a local hospital Monday after suffering a gunshot wound to the upper thigh.
Officers responded to a call referencing gunshots at 9:51 p.m. in the 200 block of Lincoln Drive. Witnesses reported a fight between the victim and an unidentified suspect, according to a news release.
A handgun was discharged during the fight, striking the victim. The firearm was not recovered, but two different types of shell casings were found by officers at the scene, according to a news release.
No arrests have been made. The investigation is still underway.
Jan. 12, 2012
Columbia police policies manual to go online
The Columbia Police Department will post its policies manual online within the next 60 days, allowing most policies to be available to anyone.
The plan was discussed Wednesday night at the Citizens Police Review Board meeting in City Hall. This action will be in accordance with the city ordinance requiring these roughly 200 policies to be readily available to Columbia citizens.
Although the majority of CPD policies will be in the published manual, certain policies will remain out of the public's sight. These policies contain classified information, like information about undercover police.
The manual will be a PDF document and is set to launch within the next two months.
Police make arrest in assault with knife
The Columbia police arrested a man after responding to a report of disturbance late on Monday.
The Boone County Deputies responded to the 4300 block of Ludwick Boulevard at 11:26 on Jan. 9. There was a disturbance reported at that sight. There were six adults in the apartment, one of whom had suffered a knife wound.
The victim, an adult male, had a knife wound on his arm. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance where he was treated for minor injuries.
The officers interviewed all of the other witnesses, who said the incident started as a verbal disagreement between family members.
“The argument escalated and resulted with one subject grabbing a box cutter and attacking a third subject," according to a news release.
Michael L. Stanley was arrested on charges of domestic assault in the second degree and armed criminal action. There was also an outstanding warrant for Stanley for Failure to Appear for traffic violations.
Jan. 7, 2012
University Ave. structure catches fire
The Columbia Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 1115 University Ave at 8:20 p.m. this evening, according to the fire dispatch log.
The investigation is still underway.
Dec. 15, 2011
Columbia woman admits to committing 12 robberies
A Columbia woman admitted to committing 12 robberies Wednesday, which all took place between Sept. 30 and Dec. 8.
Jessica M. Harris, 23, was pulled over on Dec. 13 when pulled over a van which was very similar to the vehicle viewed on surveillance videos being used in the recent string of robberies according to a news release. Detectives were able to arrest her for an unrelated stolen property charge and took her to the police department for questioning.
After hours of questioning, reviewing surveillance from the robberies and patrolling for the suspected van, police were able to arrest Harris and solve the 12 robberies, the news release stated.
“We are very excited to report this arrest,” CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said. “It has been a very high priority for the department and we hope the community, especially those working in businesses during the evening and night time hours, are able to go to work feeling safer.”
Injury accident near University Hospital shuts down lanes
An injury accident was reported at the corner of Ashland Road and South College Avenue at 6:39 p.m. Thursday, according to fire department reports.
It appeared that a silver sedan going west on Hospital collided with a dark colored SUV. The SUV turned on its side and came to rest against another silver sedan, which was waiting at the intersection facing eastbound on Hospital.
The two southbound lanes of College Avenue were shut down immediately after the incident, and traffic is heavy going both directions.
Stay with The Maneater for updates.
Dec. 6, 2011
Snow brings nearly 200 car accidents
There were 199 accidents reported in Boone County on Tuesday due to the weather, according to the Columbia Police Department.
These accidents took place between midnight and 1:30 p.m.
Of the 112 accidents CPD responded to, there were reports of one roll over and 13 accidents with injuries. There were no fatalities, according to a news release.
CPD is asking motorists to leave early for their destinations, drive slowly and be patient. They are also advising motorists to use alternative routes to avoid curves and hills during snowy and icy weather.
