Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
05/15/2024

(KNZA)--The discovery of a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck during a Tuesday evening, Jackson County traffic stop lead to one arrest, and ultimately, the next morning, to the driver's home, where a fugitive had barricaded himself inside.

A release from Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, says the traffic stop, shortly before 8:30 Tuesday night, near 182nd and S. Roads, resulted in the discovery that the license tag was registered to another vehicle, with that finding leading to the truck's driver, 35-year-old Mayetta resident, Chellcie Sparks, being arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The pickup had been reported stolen from Miami County, Kansas.

The next morning, Wednesday around 7:15, Morse says his office "received a report of a suspicious person and vehicle with Iowa tags near the residence of Chellcie Sparks," the same location as the previous night's traffic stop. When Deputies arrived, they found that a fugitive, identified as Justin Lane Stephens, of Springfield, Missouri, had, Morse says, "barricaded himself inside the residence."

Wanted on numerous outstanding Jackson County warrants, ranging from burglary and theft to drug possession, as well as other charges from Missouri, the 41-year-old Stephens was considered armed and dangerous.

According to Morse, his deputies, assisted by Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers, served a search warrant on the residence, with the Sheriff- Office Special Response Team entering the residence through force after Stephens failed to surrender. He was found hiding behind furniture in a bedroom and was taken into custody by deputies.

In addition to the previous charges, Stephens now faces charges for felon in possession of a firearm, identity theft, possession of counterfeit currency, and felony interference with law enforcement.

An additional person was arrested on the premises, 40-year-old Evin Daniele Crome, of Waterville, who was taken into custody on an outstanding Marshall County warrant for forgery.

All three, arrested over the course of Tuesday night into Wednesday, were booked into the Jackson County Jail.


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