ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, MO (Show Me Live) — A Belleville, Illinois resident is behind bars in St. Francois County after sending sheriff’s deputies on a high speed chase through the Farmington area on Monday (Mar 31st) morning. Sheriff Jeff Crites says at approximately 8:45 am, one of his deputies was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Hildebrecht Road and Highway 221 in Doe Run when a black Dodge Charger was observed traveling north on Highway 221 toward Farmington at more than 100 mph in a 45 mph zone. The vehicle also illegally passed several motorists, utilizing the center turn lane and opposing lanes of traffic.
The driver attempted to evade arrest by failing to yield and accelerating further after the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren. A second deputy, stationed nearby, positioned his vehicle ahead of the suspect to prevent it from entering the Farmington city limits.
The two deputies worked together effectively to end the high-speed chase, successfully detaining the driver without incident. It was discovered that the Illinois license plates on the vehicle had been expired for over three years.
The driver, identified as Gavin S. Stockett, was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Detention Center. Charges submitted for review to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office include Aggravated Fleeing (Valentine’s Law), Careless and Imprudent Driving, Speeding, and Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle.