Driver identified in Wednesday pursuit

Samuel Allen
Samuel Allen

Jefferson City police have identified the driver in a pursuit that occurred Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday afternoon, Samuel Allen, 42, of Holts Summit, was formally charged by the Cole County Prosecutor's Office with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, second-degree property damage, operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to police reports, at approximately 3:38 p.m., officers attempted to stop Allen for a warrant investigation in the area of Myrtle Avenue and Stadium Boulevard. Allen failed to yield and a pursuit ensued for several blocks, ending when Allen crashed at the intersection of Stadium and Southwest Boulevard.

Allen drove in reverse and collided with pursuing police units. Then traveled forward and became disabled.

Pursuing officers began giving directions for Allen to exit the car, but he did not get out.

Allen climbed into the back of the car and grabbed a small child that had been in the rear. Allen, allegedly began using the child as a shield to avoid being taken into custody.

Authorities said Allen has a history of being armed and violent as well as resisting arrest so members of the police department's crisis intervention unit were called in.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Allen turned the child over to authorities and eventually Allen was taken into custody.

The child suffered no injuries was returned to her mother.