Chase suspect identified; tased during arrest

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed Ryan Wilkerson is in custody after allegedly leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase in a stolen vehicle through multiple counties.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, Deputies saw Wilkerson driving a stolen pick up truck from Independence just after midnight near Rangeline and Blue Ridge. When deputies tried to pull him over, deputies say he sped off. Reportedly, Wilkerson was driving upwards of 100 miles per hour during the chase through Columbia.

Law enforcement says he went north to Prathersville and then east to Highway 63. Wilkerson then allegedly went south on 63 to Broadway where he started driving west. He eventually ended up going west on the Business Loop before getting onto I-70 West towards Rocheport.

At one point, deputies say law enforcement attempted to deploy spike strips and Wilkerson allegedly swerved toward a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper, but did not hit him.

According to BCSD, Wilkerson kept going through Cooper County until the truck ran out of gas in Saline County near Sweet Springs. Original reports were that the truck was disabled from the spike strips.

Deputies say when the truck finally stopped and Wilkerson got out, he charged toward them. Wilkerson also allegedly tried to grab a deputies gun but was unsuccessful. Law enforcement used a taser while arresting Wilkerson.

Law enforcement is currently searching for anything that may have been thrown from the vehicle during the chase.