HOLTS SUMMIT - This past weekend, Callaway County's K9 team tracked down a wanted fugitive hiding under a tree.
Two were arrested in the Sunday night incident, Sheriff Clay Chism said.
About 9 p.m., a deputy was patrolling County Road 4012 outside Holts Summit. The deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and recognized it as being involved in a recent criminal investigation.
When the deputy attempted to intercept the vehicle, it was abruptly parked at a nearby residence on County Road 4018 and both the driver and passenger fled on foot. The driver, identified as Andrew Richards, 30, of New Bloomfield was taken into custody for driving while revoked.
Deputies believed the vehicle passenger to be Daniel McGarity, 44, of Holts Summit. McGarity was wanted by authorities in the State of Indiana for felony non-support of a child.
Additional deputies responded to assist with a search. K9 Iro successfully tracked to McGarity, who was hiding under a tree. McGarity was taken into custody without incident.
Richards was booked/processed at the Callaway County Jail and later released pending court appearance.
McGarity remains in jail without bond per the Indiana warrant. McGarity was also booked/processed for a Miller County felony warrant and probable cause offenses of forgery, identity theft and felony resisting arrest reference a past Callaway County Sheriff's Office investigation.
Auxvasse disturbance
Also over the weekend, deputies responded to a disturbance call in the 200 block of North Mary Street in Auxvasse. Deputies further developed information that Clifford Cunningham, 44, of Mexico, a wanted felon fugitive, may be in the residence. Cunningham was wanted by the Missouri Department of Corrections Board of Probation and Parole for parole violations/absconding.
Upon arrival, a deputy saw Cunningham inside. Deputies subsequently entered the residence and took Cunningham into custody, and arrested and transported him to the Callaway County Jail. Cunningham is being held without bond and will be returned to the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections next week.
During the initial disturbance investigation, a second fugitive was also located and arrested. Melissa Echavarria, 42, of Auxvasse, was arrested for a Fulton municipal warrant for stealing. Echavarria was arrested and transported to the Callaway County Jail where she is being held on a court-set bond of $112.50.