Latest entries in Police Beat
Daily coverage of crime on the MU campus and across Columbia.
May 15, 2012
Missouri quarterback arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run
Missouri redshirt freshman quarterback Corbin Berkstresser was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident.
Columbia police officers were dispatched to an accident in the 2900 block of Lynnwood Drive at about 1 a.m. after Berkstresser, 20, hit a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue parked on the curb while driving, according to police reports. Berkstresser later admitted his involvement in the accident, in which nobody was hurt, and was arrested at 3:34 a.m. and taken to Boone County Jail.
Berkstresser was released Tuesday after posting bail, which was set at $4,500.
According to state law, leaving the scene of an accident is a Class A misdemeanor unless it results in physical injury to the other party or the damage caused exceeds $1,000. In such cases, it qualifies as a Class D felony.
Last September, cornerback Tristen Holt was arrested after an accident at a Drury Inn parking lot on Barnadette Drive from which he drove away from. His arrest resulted in coach Gary Pinkel removing him from the team.
Berkstresser spent much of the spring as the Tigers' No. 1 signal-caller after sophomore quarterback James Franklin underwent shoulder surgery. Junior Ashton Glaser is the only other quarterback under scholarship on roster with recruit Maty Mauk from Kenton, Ohio, set to join the team this summer.
The MU Athletic Department has not released a statement regarding the matter.
May 10, 2012
Man exposes self in residence hall
A male exposed himself in Schurz residence hall at about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
The suspect is a 5’9” black man in his 20s of medium build with scruffy facial hair. He was wearing an earring and plaid pajama pants, according to a news release from the MU Police Department.
Stay with The Maneater for more updates as they become available.
April 30, 2012
Dumpster fire forces evacuation at MU Student Center
A fire broke out in a dumpster at the MU Student Center at about 8 p.m. Monday, forcing the entire building to be evacuated.
At 8:05 p.m., the Columbia Fire Department responded to the fire at 901 Rollins St.
The fire originated in a dumpster adjacent to the MU Student Center, MU spokesman Christian Basi said. Firefighters responded to the loading dock on the Hitt Street side of the MU Student Center, adjacent to Infusion Cafe.
Stay with The Maneater for updates.
April 26, 2012
Police officer organization seeks to oust Chief Burton
The Columbia Fraternal Order of Police requested the removal of Police Chief Ken Burton on Wednesday, citing policy violations, misleading public statements and the mishandling of a former officer's case.
The organization met with City Manager Mike Matthes and presented more than 300 pages of evidence detailing Burton's violation of department policy and city ordinances, according to a statement from Executive Director Ashley Cuttle.
"(Burton) continues to damage the reputation of this department, along with the reputations of officers and the city of Columbia as a whole," stated a news release from the Columbia Fraternal Order of Police.
The executive board of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, an organization with more than 5,000 members in law enforcement across the state, supports removing Burton and voted unanimously to condemn his actions toward former Columbia police officer Rob Sanders.
Sanders, an 18-year veteran of CPD, was the subject of an internal investigation after an altercation in a holding cell in August. The Internal Affairs investigation reported the claims against Sanders were unfounded and no action should be taken, but Burton fired Sanders in September.
"Despite the positive conclusions and recommendations contained in the 39-page report, Chief Burton wrongfully and unilaterally terminated Officer Sanders," the news release stated.
The Columbia Fraternal Order of Police also cited negativity, disparaging remarks and questionable integrity as reasons for Burton's removal.
"Once the credibility and integrity of a law enforcement officer has been irreversibly compromised, that officer can no longer be effective in that role," the release stated. "This standard also applies to Chief Burton."
April 24, 2012
Victim in vehicle collision with wheelchair remains in critical condition
The 83-year-old victim of a collision between a vehicle and a motorized wheelchair remains in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital.
The driver, Lea Wood, 24, was driving her Honda Civic north on College Avenue at 5:13 p.m. Monday and Janet Barnes, 83, was stopped in the center pedestrian lane in her motorized wheelchair, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.
Barnes was crossing College Avenue toward Windsor Street and failed to stop for oncoming traffic. Wood, an employee in MU's School of Nursing, was unable to stop and collided with Barnes.
Barnes was taken to University Hospital by emergency personnel and remains in critical condition. Wood was not injured in the collision.
Speeding and alcohol or drug intoxication were not factors in the crash, according to the news release. No charges have been filed.
April 15, 2012
Tornado watch issued in Boone County
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for Boone County in effect until midnight Sunday.
The warning urges people to stay home for the rest of the evening. All drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution when traveling, according to the National Weather Service.
April 12, 2012
Woman arrested for stealing narcotics from hospital
A Rolla woman was arrested Saturday on suspicion of stealing narcotics from the MU Women and Children’s Hospital, according to the MU Police Department.
Capt. Scott Richardson said Julie Jones was visiting a patient at the hospital when she allegedly stole a syringe of Fentanyl, a pain killer and controlled narcotic.
“We were notified by hospital security, a nurse (reported) that a syringe was missing,” Richardson said.
Richardson said he does not know how common robberies are at this location.
April 2, 2012
Police make arrest in connection with Chuck E. Cheese’s shooting
Police arrested the man who was found responsible for a February shooting at Chuck E. Cheese’s on Thursday.
16-year-old James T. Miller was arrested and charged with Assault in the First Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to a CPD news release.
CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer, said that the shooting at Chuck E. Cheese’s is independent of the other shootings that took place in the county around the same time.
The incident occurred on Feb. 19 when officers were dispatched to 2003 W. Worley Street, Chuck E. Cheese’s Restaurant in reference to shots fired. A man, now identified as Miller shot at a male who was seen ducking and running while the shots were being fired at him. Police were on the scene in four minutes and sealed the area to preserve evidence and witnesses. The Forensic Evidence Team recovered rounds from inside the restaurant and the street. No injuries were reported.
March 21, 2012
Crews respond to injury accident on Rollins St.
Emergency rescue crews respond to an accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of Rollins St. and Virginia Ave.
Emergency rescue crews responded to an injury accident Wednesday evening outside of Hudson residence hall. The accident occurred at 9:54 p.m. at the corner of Rollins Street and Virginia Avenue.
At least three Columbia police cars, one firetruck and one ambulance responded to the accident.
"I was in the Student Center studying with a friend when I saw on Twitter that someone had been hit by a car," sophomore Tori Chamberlain said. "My friend who lives in College Ave. had texted me that someone was hit by a car on Rollins."
Chamberlain said she did not know how severe the accident was.
After the incident, police conducted a sobriety test on one male. It is unclear as to whether alcohol was involved.
Stay with The Maneater for updates.
March 16, 2012
Police discover woman with gunshot wound outside Gerbes Supermarket
A woman is in the hospital after police found her with a gunshot wound Friday outside the Gerbes Supermarket on Paris Road, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Officers were dispatched at 12:52 a.m. to Gerbes for an unknown problem and found a 41-year-old female with a gunshot wound in her lower abdomen area, according to a news release. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and then taken into surgery. She was not able to provide information before the surgery.
Officers viewed the video surveillance at Gerbes and saw the female walking through the parking lot and appearing to fall down near the front doors. Employees located the victim outside the doors, but they did not hear any shots fired, according to the news release.
Officers found a hand gun in the victim's coat pocket but cannot confirm if it caused the injuries. Officers also cannot confirm where the shooting occurred.