Armed robbery suspect arrested in Johnson County after high-speed chase

On Saturday evening at approximately 9:53 p.m., a Pettis County deputy was patrolling the area of ​​US 50 HWY near Carroll Road in La Monte when he spotted a vehicle traveling westbound at a high rate of speed.

The deputy’s vehicle-mounted radar recorded the vehicle traveling at 94 mph in a posted 65 mph speed zone.

The officer turned around and attempted to pull over the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. As the officer attempted to intercept the vehicle, it began traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens, the vehicle refused to stop and a chase was initiated.

The vehicle fled to Johnson County, whose dispatch center was notified. The vehicle drove through the construction zone on US 50 Highway near Highway D and struck several traffic cones. Due to the low volume of traffic in the area, officers continued the pursuit. The vehicle then turned north onto Highway 23 and then onto Highway MM before turning west onto NE 175th Road.

The vehicle continued to flee at a high rate of speed, eventually traveling down a long driveway where it blacked out as its headlights and taillights turned off. A deputy also pulled into the driveway, the vehicle turned its lights back on and accelerated quickly toward the deputy.

The deputy attempted to pull into the yard of the residence to avoid a collision, but the suspect vehicle swerved toward the deputy, who had to accelerate out of the way to avoid a collision. The vehicle then turned back onto the driveway and continued to flee on NE 175th Road.

The vehicle eventually re-entered US 50 Highway and fled eastbound and then southbound on 23 Highway where it began passing other motorists on the shoulder. After passing Whiteman Air Force Base, the vehicle stalled due to interference. The driver, later identified as 22-year-old Samuel Eli Lynch of Grain Valley, then exited the vehicle wearing a ski mask and fled south on foot while police pursued him. Lynch jumped over a cattle gate into a field.

The officers followed him and as one of the officers crossed the gate, Lynch produced a handgun. Lynch turned toward the deputies with the pistol, but stumbled and fell on his back, dropping the pistol next to him. The officers gave Lynch commands not to reach for the gun and managed to push the gun up and away from Lynch before taking him into custody.

Lynch was returned to the scene and searched the incident to make an arrest. A glass pipe was found on Lynch and said it contained fentanyl. Lynch also stated that there was fentanyl in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle uncovered counterfeit “Perc30” fentanyl pills, suspected heroin and paraphernalia, and another loaded firearm.

It was determined that Lynch and the other three occupants of the vehicle had allegedly committed an armed robbery approximately three hours earlier in the Johnson County area near Warrensburg. Lynch and the other occupants of the vehicle, as well as the vehicle itself, the firearms and the narcotics, were turned over to Johnson County for investigation into the robbery. Lynch was admitted Sunday at 1:13 p.m.

In Johnson County, Lynch is now charged with endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree burglary, armed criminal action, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charges are being filed through the Pettis County Prosecutor’s Office for Resisting Arrest by Fleeing with Substantial Risk of Death or Injury, Assault – 1st Degree – Special Victim, Unlawful Use of Weapon – Subsection 4 – Presentation, Armed Criminal Action, Negligence and Careless Driving and Driving while revoked/suspended.

“The pursuit and entire incident involved the assistance of the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Pettis County Joint Communications, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Knob Noster Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Thank you to all assisting agencies in the apprehension of these suspects,” commented Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders.