Cole County sheriff's deputies said Wednesday they're searching for a man who drove off after a Tuesday afternoon traffic stop on Rainbow Drive.
In a news release, Chief Deputy John Wheeler said a resident in the 100 block of Hackberry Road later identified the suspect as Matthew Haulenbeek, 24, who first was stopped while driving a Pontiac with license plates that were registered to a Dodge Neon.
When the deputy got out of his patrol vehicle to talk with Haulenbeek, he "left at a high rate of speed," the news release reported.
The deputy sheriff - who wasn't identified in the release - chased Haulenbeek from just outside Jefferson City into rural Miller County and, the news release said, Haulenbeek took "many side roads in an attempt to lose the deputy."
During that chase, Haulenbeek "bailed out of his car in the 100 block of Hackberry Road and ran into the woods.
But, because of the rural area, authorities twice were unable to capture or arrest him.
Wheeler said Haulenbeek already is wanted for a probation violation, with a no-bond warrant.
Wheeler said the Cole County Sheriff's Department will be asking Prosecutor Mark Richardson to file additional charges of felony resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving and possession of methamphetamine.
The vehicle was impounded and taken to the Cole County sheriff's department.