Pittsburg man on probation now faces another stolen car charge

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities release more information after arresting two Pittsburg residents in a stolen car pursuit. The male suspect was on probation for stealing a vehicle.

(Previous Article: Stolen car pursuit starts in Crawford County, ends in Missouri)

The chase happened on Thursday, September 30, 2021, shortly before 1:00 p.m. A Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle. The driver took off.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, “During the pursuit, the driver nearly struck a Deputy who had exited his vehicle to deploy tire deflation devices. A short time after that, the driver in attempt to avoid another deployment of tire deflating devices, almost collided with another Deputies patrol vehicle.”

The chase went into Barton County for about an hour and ended in a bean field.

Once they stopped, authorities immediately apprehended the suspects. They took both people to the Barton County, Missouri jail. Kansas authorities will pursue criminal charges in Crawford County for the Kansas side of the pursuit. Charges authorities are requesting include aggravated assault on LEO, fleeing and attempting to elude, and numerous other traffic violations.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office says the driver was Justin Cochran, 29, of Pittsburg, Kansas. Other criminal court cases list his residence as Asbury, Missouri. In addition to requested charges in Thursday’s chase, Cochran had an active warrant for his arrest for a parole violation.

The female suspect had no active warrants. Prosecutors have not officially charged her at this time. She’s a 22-year-old Pittsburg resident.

Authorities say the vehicle was a stolen 2020 Nissan Altima from Joplin.

Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Frontenac Police both assisted with the pursuit.

Criminal History related to a Stolen Car

Justin Cochran has a history of charges and convictions related to car theft.

Recently, he was arrested in January 2021 for stolen property in Cherokee County, Kansas. “Deputies recovered various items including a Ford Truck, which had been reported stolen out of Barton County, Missouri, as well as a handgun and other property reported stolen out of Jasper County.  In addition to the stolen property, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were also seized,” stated Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

In March 2021, authorities arrested him in Vernon County, Missouri. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to stealing a motor vehicle and property theft. The courts gave him a 7 year suspended sentence and put him on 5 years supervised probation. In August, he violated his probation. Authorities got a warrant for him on August 30.

The female suspect in Thursday’s chase also has ongoing cases. One in Cherokee County, Kansas and another for tampering with a motor vehicle in Missouri.

Other Related Crimes

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