Boone County deputies seek suspect in assault, chase

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Sheriff's Office is looking for an assault suspect who got away after a chase early Tuesday.

Deputies are seeking the public's help to find Gianni D. Hodo, 30, of Columbia after a woman was assaulted east of Columbia. They were sent to Sanders Court early Tuesday and found an injured woman, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. Investigators believe Hodo assaulted the woman, broke her phone when she tried to call for help, strangled her and stole her vehicle, according to the post.

Hodo left before deputies arrived but a chase ensued when authorities found the allegedly stolen vehicle, according to the sheriff's office. Hodo drove away from a traffic stop, leading deputies on a chase on Interstate 70, Range Line Street, Vandiver Drive and Leslie Lane before crashing into a parked vehicle near Garth Avenue, the Facebook post said. Hodo ran and got away, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said Hodo is wanted on suspicion of domestic assault, armed criminal action, child endangerment, vehicle theft and resisting arrest, among other crimes. He also has active arrest warrants for stealing a vehicle and driving without a license.