A Fulton man has been ordered to serve time in the Department of Corrections' long-term drug treatment program after pleading guilty to a Cole County felony stealing charge from July 2019.
Kevin Jones, 34, entered his plea during a hearing before Cole County Judge Dan Green. If he fails to successfully complete the program, Jones faces a possibility of seven years in prison.
Jones was one of two people charged in connection with the theft of more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from a Walmart store in Jefferson City.
Chelsey Evans, 32, of Vichy, was also charged with one count of stealing. Her case is scheduled to come before Cole County Judge Jon Beetem next week.
Authorities were called to Walmart on West Stadium Boulevard, according to Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statements.
Jones and Evans were reportedly seen stealing the items by Walmart loss prevention personnel. The store employees tried to stop the pair, but they got into a vehicle and headed north on West Stadium Boulevard toward Missouri Boulevard. They left the shopping cart with the items they allegedly took in the parking lot of the store.
A JCPD officer spotted the vehicle the two were reported to be in going east on U.S. 50. Jones was driving and eventually lost control, crashing at the intersection of U.S. 50 and Madison Street.
Jones fled on foot and was taken into custody in the 700 block of Monroe Street, while Evans was taken into custody at the scene of the accident.
When questioned, Jones admitted he and Evans had stolen the merchandise, saying they had no money and their children needed school supplies.