Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Stolen Truck

A high-speed pursuit June 4 that stretched across multiple jurisdictions ended in an arrest after a man allegedly stole a truck and led a high-speed pursuit. 

Steven L. Terry, of Steelville, has been charged with first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing from a stop or detention. The pursuit unfolded amid heavy rain and moderate traffic, adding further risk to reckless and erratic driving.

According to the probable cause statement, the incident began when the Rolla Police Department received a report of a stolen 2014 Chevrolet truck. The owner, identified only as A.L., told police he had left the truck running outside a business when a man in a red shirt climbed in and drove off. A phone left in the truck briefly allowed officers to track the vehicle through the Live360 app before the device was discarded near mile marker 195 on Interstate 44.

Shortly after, an officer spotted a vehicle matching the description near the 207-mile marker and notified dispatch. A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper attempted a traffic stop near the 209 marker, but the suspect fled at high speed, weaving through traffic and ignoring multiple attempts to stop him with spike strips.

The pursuit involved officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cuba Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Speeds reportedly topped 90 mph despite slick roads and poor visibility. 

The suspect drove erratically, using the highway shoulder and cutting across multiple lanes before exiting I-44 at the 225-mile marker.

According to police, the truck made several rapid turns through residential streets and briefly stopped in front of a home on Elmont Road, where the driver appeared to shout at a woman outside before fleeing again. Officers continued pursuit through neighborhoods and highways as the suspect circled back to the same Elmont Road residence a second time.

Despite having a tire punctured by spike strips deployed by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Terry continued to flee, returning once again to Elmont Road before driving to the Sullivan Homes. 

There, the vehicle came to a stop, and Terry was taken into custody without further incident.

During the arrest, Terry reportedly told officers, “I took a bad batch on Sunday and haven’t been right since.” 

A records check confirmed that Terry did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident.

Terry was transported to the Crawford County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold.