A woman from East St. Louis, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to charges filed against her in Cole County after leading authorities on a long chase in October 2017.
Mercedes Holmes, 27, pleaded guilty to stealing and resisting arrest during a Tuesday hearing before Cole County Judge Dan Green.
Holmes was placed on five years of supervised probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.
Two other women charged in this case earlier pleaded guilty to charges. Bianca Crockertt, 29, of East St. Louis, pleaded guilty to stealing and resisting arrest and was placed on five years supervised of probation. Javayshia Smith, 29, of Jennings, pleaded guilty to stealing and was placed on five years of supervised probation.
Jefferson City police reported the 911 center had received a call reporting a theft from Dillard’s at Capital Mall. Crockett, Holmes and Smith had gone inside the store and taken more than $1,500 in property by concealing items in Dillard’s bags. It was later learned the women had been involved in multiple thefts in Mid-Missouri amounting to approximately $17,000.
Once the women fled from Dillard’s, they got into a vehicle and left.
Based on witness descriptions, officers located the vehicle on U.S. 50 near Dix Road, and a pursuit ensued. They eventually reached the Missouri River Bridge and went north on U.S. 54.
The vehicle continued northbound until reaching the city limits of Fulton, where Fulton police deployed tire-deflation spikes, forcing the vehicle to stop.
Court records show Crockett has several stealing-related arrests and convictions from Illinois. Smith has prior charges for obstructing justice.