Wanted felon leads deputies on vehicle chase, foot pursuit

FULTON — The Callaway County Sheriff's Department reported Saturday a man wanted for felony violation of probation lead deputies on a vehicle and then foot pursuit.

Saturday morning, a deputy was driving on North Business 54 near Glover Street in Fulton when he spotted 21-year-old Fulton resident Wendell Steward Jr. The deputy knew Steward was a wanted felon - he had a warrant for felony violation of probation.

The deputy attempted to stop Steward and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Steward drove various streets in Fulton and accessed eastbound Hwy 54 toward Kingdom City. On the north end of Fulton, he turned around and entered westbound Hwy 54, then traveled back into Fulton on North Business 54.

Steward eventually turned onto Meadowlark Lane, stopped and fled his car. Deputies chased him into nearby woods and took him into custody.

The Fulton Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to assist deputies.

Deputies took Steward to the Callaway County Jail where he was being held for the warrant and on suspicion of felony delivery of a controlled substance, felony resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving and speeding 115 miles per hour in a 70 zone.

He was being held without bond pending a court bond setting.

In 2016, Steward was identified as a suspect in a Callaway County home invasion. Court records show he pleaded guilty to felony second-degree burglary and misdemeanor third-degree assault. He was serving probation and court records show a warrant for violating probation was issued on Nov. 6, 2018.