A Columbia man pleaded guilty to amended charges in connection with a chase with authorities in March 2020 in Cole County.
During a hearing before Cole County Judge Cotton Walker, Kenneth Griffith, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor property damage. Prosecutors amended the charge down from first-degree property damage, and they dismissed a felony count of resisting a lawful stop.
Griffith was placed on two years unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $895 in restitution.
The incident occurred when a deputy reportedly saw Griffith pull out of a private driveway off Gerstner Lane, according to a Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement. The deputy was familiar with the property owners and noted the vehicle did not belong to the owners. He ran a vehicle check, which showed Griffith as the vehicle owner.
With thefts recently reported in the area, the deputy attempted to pull Griffith over, but he failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit started in the 9300 block of Pleasant Hill Road then went west onto West Brazito Road. Speeds reportedly reached 90 mph. The pursuit then went onto Oakland Gravel Road, then Old Bass Road.
Griffith turned down a driveway in the 7500 block of Old Bass Road until he got to a field and became stuck in the mud.
Griffith fled on foot into nearby woods. Authorities searched the area by foot and with the help of a Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter.
Griffith was later found at Dollar General on Heritage Highway and taken into custody. When questioned, Griffith said he ran because he was scared.