Farmington man arrested after high-speed pursuit and fentanyl seizure
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — A Farmington man is in custody after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a late-night vehicle pursuit that ended in an arrest and drug seizure.
According to St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey S. Crites, deputies responded around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a careless driver traveling south on U.S. Highway 67 toward Bonne Terre.
Deputies located a dark-colored Chevrolet Blazer near the Route K overpass, missing a wheel and throwing sparks. When a deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over, initiating a pursuit.
Multiple agencies, including the Bonne Terre, Desloge, Park Hills and Leadington police departments, assisted in deploying spike strips to stop the vehicle. The SUV became disabled at the top of the Leadington exit ramp, where the driver continued to resist before being taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of fentanyl and U.S. currency. The driver, identified as Joseph Woolford Jr. of Farmington, was transported to the St. Francois County Detention Center, where he remains held without bond.
A report has been forwarded to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for formal charges.
Sheriff Crites thanked assisting agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Leadington Fire Department, and St. Francois County EMS, for their cooperation during the incident.
