Woman charged with stealing a vehicle in Cole County

A woman who unlawfully took her daughter from her father earlier this week and was eventually located has been charged with stealing a vehicle in Cole County she allegedly drove she and her daughter in while she was being chased by authorities.

Sarah Hatfield, 39, is charged with one count of first-degree tampering.

A Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement shows deputies were dispatched early Monday to the 5900 block of Junior Lane in Henley where a vehicle was reported stolen and another vehicle, not known to the property owner, was sitting in its place.

The property owner was heading to the gym when he noticed his vehicle was gone and the other vehicle was in the driveway. Authorities ran a background check and found the vehicle belonged to Hatfield out of Union. The keys were left in the vehicle.

A statewide attempt to locate was broadcast and eventually Hatfield and her daughter were found late Monday night in Ballwin driving the vehicle stolen from Henley, authorities reported. She later admitted, authorities said, to taking the vehicle.