On January 26, 2020 at approximately 6:12 p.m. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Glider Ln. in Villa Ridge for a report of a domestic disturbance in progress.  Upon the deputies’ arrival, they found a distraught, 48-year-old female with visible injury and blood on her face. She identified the male suspect on scene as her brother-in-law, who had been staying at the victim’s residence for a period of time. The suspect made an admission in the deputy’s presence, but he refused to speak about the incident any further with the deputy. When the deputy gave orders to the man to put his hands behind his back, at first the man refused.   The male then complied and was taken into custody. EMS was called to the scene to provide medical treatment for the victim.  She was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for further treatment.  The 57-year-old male suspect was arrested for domestic assault and transported to the Franklin County Detention Center without further incident.  A warrant was issued for the suspect, identified Mark H. Hood of Mitchel Illinois, for Domestic Assault 3rd Degree. Bond was set at $20,000.
 

​On January 27, 2020 at approximately 12:26 a.m. deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Arborview Dr. in Villa Ridge for a report of a domestic disturbance in progress.  Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a male and female at the residence.  It was reported by the female her boyfriend grabbed her around her neck and was choking her during an argument.  The deputies found the female had visible injury to her neck supporting her statement.  The 30-year-old male suspect from was arrested and transported to the Franklin County Detention Center for charges of domestic assault. An arrest warrant was issued on the suspect, identified as Dustin L. Clifton of Villa Ridge, for the charge of Domestic Assault 2nd Degree. Bond was set at $25,000.
 
All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On 01-10-2020 at approximately 4:24 p.m. deputies were dispatched to the area of Hwy AT and Golden Pond subdivision for a report of a suspicious person walking in the area.  Upon their arrival they made contact with the female who stated she was walking to the Union McDonald's to meet a friend for a ride.  A records check revealed an active capias warrant for her arrest with full U.S. extradition out of Pulaski County. The original charge was for assaulting a law enforcement officer. When deputies attempted to effect the arrest, the 
female threw down her belongings and fled on foot.  Deputies ordered the female to stop running but the order was ignored.  Deputies chased the female through the subdivision and ultimately caught up to her and she was taken into custody.  One deputy received minor injuries and damage to department property as a result of a fall during the pursuit.  The female was arrested for the outstanding warrant and charges were sent to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office for Resisting Arrest and Property Damage.  A Franklin County arrest warrant was issued on the suspect, Bernadina R. Ahal, age 25 from Sullivan, for Resisting Arrest and Property Damage. Bond was set at $30,000.
 
All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

On January 13th, 2020 at about 7:25 a.m. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 600 block of T-Box Dr in St. Clair for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the owner of the home reported someone entered his new construction home and stole appliances, building materials, and tools from within. The deputies’ investigation revealed evidence at the scene and a witness that had provided suspect and vehicle information. That evidence led deputies to the 1100 block of Bever Street in St. Clair. A vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle as well as additional evidence was located in front of the home as deputies attempted contact with the residents. The residents refused to answer the door. St. Clair PD assisted deputies with securing the home while a search warrant application was prepared. A female eventually came out of the home and admitted a male subject was barricaded in the attic. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office activated SWAT personnel to assist with the search warrant execution once it was obtained. Sheriff’s Office negotiators made contact with the male subject and eventually the male surrendered peacefully to deputies on scene. Investigators then executed the search warrant and found evidence of the burglary in and around the home, including the appliances, building materials, and tools the victim had reported stolen. A rifle, ammunition, and drug items were also recovered. A warrant application was filed with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Charges were issued on the male suspect, identified as 51-year-old Gregory Keith Benton of St. Clair, for Burglary 2nd degree, felony Stealing, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Bond was set at $25,000 cash only. Benton has a criminal history with prior felony convictions including burglary, stealing, and drug manufacturing and possession charges.
 
All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

On 01/21/20, a deputy obtained information of the possible whereabouts of Pedrotti.  Upon the deputy checking the area, he located the Gray Dodge Charger parked in front of a residence inside Terrace Hill Mobile Home Park.  An attempt to get other deputies in the area was made but Pedrotti was observed getting into his vehicle and leaving the residence.  The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, at which time Pedrotti fled.  A vehicle pursuit ensued, traveling westbound on Hwy 100 and merging on I-44 eastbound from Gray Summit.  While being pursued, the suspect vehicle suffered mechanical issues and the deputy passed the vehicle, pulling in front of and slowing down, in an attempt to force the driver to pull to the shoulder.  The driver struck the rear of the patrol car before pulling up to the passenger side of the patrol unit. The deputy proceeded to conduct a PIT maneuver striking the rear drivers side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to turn sideways and come to an immediate stop.  The driver Jeremy Pedrotti was taken into custody without further incident. 
 
Pedrotti was taken into custody for active warrants for Felony Resisting Arrest, $2,000.00 cash only bond, as well as a Parole Violation with no bond.  Charges were applied for with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued, charging Jeremy Pedrotti with Property Damage 2nd Degree, Assault 4th Degree, and Resisting Arrest.  His bond was set at $7,500.00 cash only.  All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.              

​On 12/17/2019, a Franklin County Deputy received a call from Dollar General in Gray Summit, regarding a leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Employees reported a gray Dodge Charger was reported to have struck the building, fleeing from the scene, and almost striking other vehicles while doing so.  Through surveillance cameras, the vehicle and suspect were identified. Deputies attempted to locate the suspect to no avail.
 
On 12/26/2019, a deputy observed the same Dodge Charger from the leaving the scene incident, pull onto the lot of the Mobil on the Run located at the intersection of West Osage and Hwy 100.  Based on past information and the active leaving the scene investigation, the deputy initiated a traffic stop with the vehicle at the gas pumps. The driver exited the vehicle as the deputy was attempting to contact him. At this time the driver immediately re-entered the vehicle, and a physical struggle occurred between the deputy and the driver.  The deputy was attempting to remove the driver from the vehicle as a struggle ensued over the keys of the vehicle. The driver was able to start the vehicle, place it in gear and flee, dragging the deputy and striking a second Franklin County Patrol unit that was on the scene.  A vehicle pursuit was initiated as the vehicle turned onto I-44 eastbound from the Gray Summit area.  The vehicle exited at the Pacific exit before crossing West Osage onto Old Gray Summit Road and turning southbound on Hwy N.   The pursuing deputy terminated due to losing sight of the vehicle.  Due to ongoing incidents involving the same suspect, the Missouri Probation and Parole Office was contacted and a parole revocation was issued for the subject identified as Jeremy Pedrotti a 33 year old male from the Pacific, MO.  
 

On Tuesday December 17, 2019 Deputies responded to the 200 block of Pleasant Drive in Washington for a report of a robbery. Upon the Deputies arrival they were told that several males entered the residence with firearms and bound the wrist of the occupants inside. One of the occupants after being bound was assaulted by the suspects. There was cash and two hand guns stolen from the residence. Evidence at the scene was consistent with the victim’s statements.
 
On Tuesday December 31, 2019 Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office located two of the suspects in this case. They are identified as 17 year old Elijah Crowe from Pacific, Mo. and 17 year old Timothy Turner from Catawissa, Mo.
Both were charged with Burglary, Robbery, and Kidnapping. Bond for both was set at $250,000 cash only. This investigation is still ongoing further information will be released at a later date.
 
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
 
Steve Pelton

On Friday January 3rd, 2020 the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1500 block of Hwy K in the St Clair area of Franklin County for a report of a victim of an assault. When Deputies arrived they spoke with a 28 year old female who advised she had been held hostage and tortured by her boyfriend for the past two days.  She said she escaped after he fell asleep and ran barefoot to a neighbor’s house to ask them to call 911. The victim showed signs of being severely beaten about her face, arms, and legs and also showed signs of being burned in multiple locations with a lighter. The victim also claimed she was held against her will, tied up by her neck with an electrical cord, and threatened with a knife during the incident.
Deputies responded to the residence located in the 1500 block of Hwy K to make contact with the suspect.  When the suspect observed the deputies, he retreated inside the residence, closing and locking the door. Deputies then saw the subject attempting to flee the residence using a side door but upon observing deputies, the male subject returned back inside. Several attempts were made to gain compliance from the suspect but all failed. The suspect was known to law enforcement as being on Parole for Domestic Assault and contact was made with that office and a warrant was issued for his arrest for violation of parole. A search warrant was obtained for the residence. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team conducted the service of the search warrant at the residence located in the 1500 block of Hwy K, St. Clair MO. A 24 year old male was taken into custody during the service of the search warrant.
On Saturday January 4th, 2020 charges were sought through the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a  warrant was issued, charging Zachary R. Strube with Domestic Assault 2nd Degree, Kidnapping 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Resisting Arrest.  His bond was set at $500,000 cash only.  All persons are assumed to be innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
 
Steve Pelton

​On January 4th, 2020 at approximately 2:00 a.m. deputies responded to the area of Shawnee Town Ford Road, Union for a report of a stolen vehicle. While conducting an area canvas a deputy observed another vehicle sitting roadside facing westbound toward the front of his vehicle on Shawnee Town Ford Road. The deputy attempted to block this vehicle from moving but it sped towards his vehicle attempting to flee the area striking the driver side quarter panel of the patrol car.  The vehicle continued west on Shawnee Town Ford Rd to Hwy AH at a high rate of speed. The vehicle continued to flee west bound on the South Outer Rd turning onto Interstate 44 at the 242 mile marker where it continuing west bound at speeds of 100 mph. Sullivan Police Department deployed tire deflation device in the area of the 226 mile marker westbound.
 
                The vehicle exited at the 226 Exit and turned north towards the Flying J Truck Stop where it stopped due to the front tires being damaged too badly to continue driving. Three subjects were detained from the vehicle to include the driver who is a 24 year old male from St Clair, a 28 year old female from St Clair, and a 23 year old male from Union.
 
Tyler Sims a 23 year old male was taken into custody for outstanding warrants for Burglary 2nd, Possession of Controlled Substance and Stealing of a Motor Vehicle with a bond of $5000.00. A warrant was issued on the driver Charles Glenn Buckner a 24 year old male from St. Clair for Resisting Arrest and Leaving the Scene of Accident with a $35,000.00 cash only bond. The female’s name is being withheld pending formal charges.
 
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff