Second suspect arrested in parts theft case

A suspect who originally evaded police joins another suspect already in custody in connection with the attempted theft of parts from vehicles at a car dealer early Tuesday morning in Jefferson City.

On Wednesday at 1:11 a.m. police officers arrested Ryan Mathew Blackburn, a 35 year old Holts Summit resident, in connection with the attempted theft of catalytic converters from Corwin Honda, 3215 Missouri Boulevard.

Blackburn is currently in the Cole County jail awaiting charges of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 2nd Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Resisting Arrest.

The initial incident started when an officer doing a security check at 3:06 a.m. Tuesday at Corwin interrupted two subjects attempting to steal catalytic converters off vehicles on the back lot. The suspects fled on foot to a nearby vehicle and fled the scene.

Other officers responding to the area found the suspect vehicle crashed at the intersection of Missouri Boulevard and South Country Club Drive.

One suspect was located in some brush nearby. He was identified as Michael A. Rogers, a 54-year-old Holts Summit resident. He was taken to St. Mary's Health Center for treatment of an injury from the accident and then to the Cole County Jail.

He faces charges of second-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of an accident.