Man arrested in chase that ended near University Hospital had several warrants, charged with failing to register as sex offender
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who led law police and deputies on a chase that ended near University Hospital on Monday had several warrants out for his arrest, according the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and court records.
Rickey Ross Deford, 46, was charged in Randolph County with two counts of failing to register as a sex offender and one count of drug possession. A warrant for his arrest was issued on July 24, and a $15,000 cash-only bond was set.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office wrote on its social media on Monday afternoon that deputies were looking for Deford in the 4400 block of West Bellview Drive and tried to block him from leaving a parking area. Deford got away by driving through a lawn, the post reads.
Deford hit an uninvolved motorist near the intersection of College Avenue and Stadium Boulevard, but no injuries were reported to the person in that vehicle, the post says. Deford eventually hit a deputy’s patrol vehicle, but the deputy also had no injuries, the post says.
A passenger in Deford’s vehicle allegedly told him to stop and let them out during the chase, but Deford refused, the post says. Deford and the passenger were evaluated at an area hospital, but had no injuries, the post says.
Boone County Sheriff's Office Capt. Brian Leer says that deputies are allowed to pursue suspects whenever they observe a crime. However, it is important to evaluate the state of the chase and review if it is posing a threat to the public.
"It's one of those things we we don't want people to run from us however, we can't just allow everyone to take off running and not do anything about it," Leer said. "So it's balancing the the safety of of all involved."
Additionally, Deford had multiple warrants out for his arrest and is now accused of second-degree kidnapping, property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, assault on law enforcement and fraudulent use of a credit device.
Deford also is accused of a felony under Valentine’s Law resulting in injury. This occurred when a Missouri Highway Patrol officer was injured when deploying spike strips during the pursuit.
Court records show that Deford had probation violations filed in Cooper County, a failure-to-appear warrant in Saline County and a probation violation filed in Boone County.
Stadium Boulevard and Champions Drive were shut down after the chase ended around 10:30 a.m.
