Latest entries in Police Beat
Daily coverage of crime on the MU campus and across Columbia.
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.
Dec. 5, 2011
One pronounced dead in Highway WW accident
A Columbia male was killed in a car accident near the 3900 block range of Highway WW on Sunday morning.
Tracy Dexter, 45, was traveling eastbound in a 2000 Ford at a high rate of speed. He failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle, according to a news release.
The vehicle exited the left side of the road, overturned and partially ejected Dexter.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release.
One lane of Highway WW was shut down following the accident.
Dec. 2, 2011
Police investigate Little Caesar's armed robbery
Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at 8:43 p.m. Thursday at Little Caesar’s Pizza at 2901 W. Broadway, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
According to a Columbia police report, an unidentified suspect entered the restaurant, displayed a weapon and told the cashier to give him money. He then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect was described as a black male of about 15 years of age, skinny, with dark complexion and wearing all black clothing.
If you have any information please contact the Columbia Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS.
Nov. 22, 2011
Police investigate shooting near Providence
Police reported to the South Providence Outer Road at 1:26 p.m. Monday in response to a shots fired report.
Approximately eight to nine shots were fired. It is believed that suspects were possibly shooting at each other, according to the police report.
Information regarding the incident was delayed five to 10 minutes before police were alerted. The South Providence Outer Road was shut down for approximately one hour for the investigation.
The off-duty Columbia police working at Rock Bridge High School, Forensic Evidence Team and Major Crimes Unit assisted patrol officers at the scene, according to the police report.
No one was injured, and no arrests have been made.
Nov. 17, 2011
MU football coach Gary Pinkel arrested for DWI
Gary Pinkel
MU football coach Gary Pinkel was arrested at about 10 p.m. Wednesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Deputies from the Boone County Sheriff's Department arrested Pinkel on Keene Street near Broadway. Pinkel was driving his Chevrolet Avalanche when he was pulled over for signal and lane violations, according to a report from the Boone County Sheriff's Department.
This is Pinkel’s first offense.
A dash cam video captured the arrest, but the sheriff’s department will not release it until the end of the investigation.
Pinkel was released from Boone County Jail after posting a $500 bond.
"First and foremost, I am very disappointed in myself for my lack of judgment in this instance," Pinkel said in a statement from the athletics department. "Nobody should drink and drive, including me. My staff and I constantly reinforce with each of our players the importance of not putting yourself into a position such as this. I did not follow that here and for that, I sincerely apologize to the University of Missouri, to our administration, to the Board of Curators and to our fans. I have already met with our staff and communicated with our players and have apologized to them. I accept full responsibility for my actions and will abide by whatever course of action our leadership deems appropriate."
Nov. 16, 2011
Vehicle pursuit ends near Vandiver and Highway 63
A Columbia resident was arrested Wednesday following a vehicle pursuit when an officer from the Boone County Sheriff’s Department determined the driver had an outstanding warrant.
A deputy was patrolling the area of a local business in the 2700 block of Paris Road when he received information of a subject of an outstanding warrant driving in the area, according to a news release.
The deputy located a silver Suburban that the suspect was driving and made contact with the occupant.
After running a check on the suspect, the deputy discovered the outstanding warrant. The suspect took off in a short vehicle pursuit ending in the area of Vandiver Drive near U.S. 63.
Robert E. Jennings, 36, was taken into custody on seven charges. The charges were: resisting arrest, driving while suspended, failure to display lights on vehicle, failure to obey a traffic control device, careless and imprudent driving for speeding, failure to maintain right half of roadway and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Jenning’s bond was set at $2,420, according to the news release.
The outstanding warrant was a failure to appear warrant for a charge of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.
Nov. 10, 2011
Two arrested in connection to RV robbery
Police arrested two suspects Tuesday on suspicion of thefts over the weekend at Fabick Company in Fenton and Loveall's RVs in Columbia.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested David Earl Woods, 42, and Jennifer R. Freeman, 31, who are waiting for bond to be set on numerous burglary and stealing charges, according to a news release. They are suspected to have stolen a camping trailer, a pick-up truck, a "goose neck" trailer and numerous tools, which were all recovered when they were arrested at Finger Lakes State Park.
An off-duty deputy at Finger Lakes became suspicious after spotting the camper, trucks, trailer and other items, according to the news release. Additional deputies responded to the scene, and Woods and Freeman were taken into custody.
The camping trailer was described as a 29-foot 2011 Salem Model 26 QBUD camper with slide outs and a tongue hitch, and the pick-up truck was described as a red 1995 Chevrolet 2500 Club Cab with a snowplow mount on the front. The gooseneck trailer was described as a black 2007 Load Max Car Hauler.
Numerous tools, vehicle tires, copper wiring and other items believed stolen were also recovered. Deputies are contacting surrounding law enforcement agencies to try and determine the owners of the property.
Nov. 8, 2011
Fire department responds to fraternity house fire caused by delivery truck
The fire department was dispatched to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at 24 Stewart Road at 12:31 p.m. in response to an electrical fire.
The fire at the fraternity house started when a delivery truck damaged a line that connected to the house.
"It was electrical," battalion chief Stephen Sapp said. "It happened when there was a surge. The electrical system had a condition where it was discharging on the wood, but we didn't actually have open flames. There was a fair amount of smoke that went throughout the building."
Minor charring occurred on the floor boards.
No one was injured.
Nov. 6, 2011
911 Dispatch Center catches fire
The Columbia 911 dispatch center caught fire around 9:30 p.m. this evening, cutting communication services.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the center is evacuated and currently 911 is operating at minimal abilities, according to a Nixle alert message.
Residents are advised not to call 911 unless they “truly have a life or death emergency”, according to the ComoAdvisor twitter feed.
Nov. 4, 2011
Police respond to Park Avenue injury
Police were dispatched to the area of 1110 Park Avenue at 12:38 a.m. today in relation to a man wandering around with a bloody face.
Upon location, the male subject was highly incoherent, intoxicated and uncooperative. He was bleeding from the face and head. It appeared as though he had been struck in the head and face with a large rock, according to a news release.
The male sought treatment at a local hospital. It is not known if he had any property stolen.
No suspect information is available at this time.