Police arrest man twice in two days, accused of selling drugs, leading officers on chase

Jefferson City police arrested Matthew Mcilwain twice in two days after officers tried to pull Mcilwain’s vehicle over for expired plates.

According to one probable cause statement, the first arrest happened on Thursday after officers stopped Mcilwain’s car for improper display of license plates and displaying the wrong plates.

Police said when they approached the car they saw Mcilwain digging around his belt line.

Mcilwain told officers his license had been revoked and police arrested him.

Police said when they searched Mcilwain they found a used methamphetamine pipe in his pocket.

Officers said they searched Mcilwain’s car and found a gun, alprazolam pills, marijuana, digital scales, a marijuana pipe and small plastic baggies typically used for selling drugs.

Mcilwain is a convicted felon and not allowed to have a gun.

Police said Mcilwain had been previously convicted more than three times of driving while revoked and had recently served 60 days in jail for the offense.

Mcilwain also admitted to police that he was selling approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine a week for the last year. He told officers that he had the gun for fear of robbery, police said.

Mcilwain was taken to the Cole County Jail and bonded out.

The second arrest occurred on Saturday, according to the probable cause statement.

Police said they attempted to pull over Mcilwain’s vehicle but he failed to yield to the officers.

Officers said Mcilwain ran through a stop sign, reached speeds of over 100 mph, and crossing traffic without slowing down.

Police said the pursuit ended on Loesch Road where Mcilwain crashed because of the gravel road.

Officers said a foot pursuit began and Mcilwain was quickly arrested.

According to the probable cause statement, police found a pair of jeans that had a glass methamphetamine pipe, just outside of Mcilwain’s car.

Mcilwain is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon, driving while revoked/suspended, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.