Sheriff Scott Keeler reported deputies made one warrant arrest, recovered a stolen vehicle, and took report concerning a runaway juvenile and property damage during the first part of the week May 15-19, 2017.

Two individuals sought for questioning
after failing to yield to law enforcement

            Law enforcement from St. Clair and Hickory counties are seeking Jerry Eaton, 45, Osceola, and Shanna Case, 44, Collins, for questioning after failing to yield to law enforcement during the morning hours on May 17.

Jerry Eaton-File photo

            The incident started after Hickory County Sheriff Brian Whalen responded to a call of a cow out. As the sheriff was getting the cow back into the fence he noticed individuals in an abandoned house. The individuals fled the property in a 1992 Dodge Dakota truck that was painted flat black. Sheriff Whalen gave chase along with other Hickory County deputies.  

            The truck failed to yield and traveled into St. Clair County near T Highway where St. Clair County deputies joined in the chase. The truck also failed to yield to St. Clair County deputies and traveled onto several county, private roads, and private property. The truck continued through a timbered area and through fences onto Randy Williams’ property on SE 276 Road causing cattle and horses to leave the property.   

Shanna Case-File photo

          The truck evaded deputies near the Gerster area. After information was obtained on the suspects it determined the driver was Eaton and he was wearing camouflage. The passenger was Case and she was wearing grey shorts and a grey shirt. Deputies continued the search near SE 1251 Road and TT Highway.  At approximately noon deputies located the truck in the timber off SE 1251 Road, north of Gerster. The truck checked back stolen out of Henry County. It was towed to a secure location and turned over to Henry County for processing.

            During the evening hours the next day, May 18, a deputy took a report of a 1996 Ford Taurus stolen from Nancy Cox on SE 1294 Road, near Gerster. Shortly after the call, Hickory County deputies located the vehicle in a wooded area near the Hickory County line on Road 41 near Weaubleau. It is believed Eaton and Case have left the immediate area.

            During the investigation it was learned Eaton and Case were residing in the abandoned house where the incident started. Hickory County deputies located numerous items believed to be stolen as well as items associated with drug use on the property.

            Eaton is also wanted on felony warrants from in St. Clair, Cass and Henry counties for failing to appear in court on various charges. He is wanted on a Hickory County warrant for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge.

            Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to this case or the location of Eaton or Case to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Runaway juvenile located

            During the late afternoon hours on May 17, a juvenile reported as a runaway during the morning hours the same day, was located and returned to her mother.

            The original report came from a residence on SW 401 Road, El Dorado Springs. A 15 year-old female juvenile was reported missing after it appeared pillows and blankets were intentionally placed under her bed spread to make it seem as though a person was in the bed asleep.

            Property damage reported in Collins

            On May 16, a St. Clair County deputy took a report on South 15th Street, Collins, in reference to broken windows. John and Mary Hill reported they found two broken windows in the sewing room of their residence.  The windows are two-feet wide and six-feet tall. The total estimated value of the windows is $1,000. 

            These cases are currently under investigation. Sheriff Keeler urges those with any related information to these cases or any others to contact the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 417-646-5832, or email to tips@scsomo.org.

Warrant arrest     

Kristen Underwood

               Kristen Underwood- On May 16, Kristen Underwood, 25, Greenville, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging her with class D felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety. The warrant was issued on April 19 and the charge stems from an Osceola Police Department investigation on March 15.

            Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.