Four suspects arrested after chase

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A police chase involving five law enforcement agencies Tuesday afternoon resulted in four arrests, according to Lt. David Williams, of the Jefferson City Police Department.

According to a Wednesday press release, the chase started from the parking lot of the Capital Mall and ended on U.S. 54 in Fulton.

Three East St. Louis, Illinois, residents and one resident from Jennings, Missouri, were charged Wednesday afternoon.

Faheem El-Amin, 27, of East St. Louis, is charged with stealing, resisting arrest and careless and imprudent driving.

Bianca Crockett, 27, and Mercedes Holmes, 25, both of East St. Louis, along with Javayshia Smith, 27, of Jennings, are each charged with stealing and resisting arrest.

Court records show El-Amin had been on parole for unlawful use of a weapon. Crockett has several stealing-related arrests and convictions from Illinois. Smith has prior charges for obstructing justice.

The incident began at 3:21 p.m. with a reported theft from the Dillard's department store, at 3600 Country Club Drive. Based on witness descriptions, police spotted the suspect vehicle on U.S. 50 near Dix Road and attempted to stop it. The vehicle did not stop, and the pursuit ensued traveling east.

The chase reached the Missouri River Bridge and turned north onto eastbound U.S. 54. Emergency vehicles continued to follow the suspect vehicle.

Notifications were made to law enforcement agencies along the U.S. 54 corridor for assistance. Jefferson City officers remained in pursuit with assistance from officers from the Holts Summit Police Department, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The vehicle continued northbound, passing other vehicles at a high rate of speed, until reaching the Fulton city limits. Fulton police officers deployed tire deflation spikes, causing the vehicle to malfunction and stop. The four suspects were taken into custody and transported back to Jefferson City for further investigation.

Merchandise taken in this theft was valued at more than $3,000, Williams said. He said the suspects also are being investigated for several other merchandise thefts valued in excess of $10,000.