Ashland, Missouri Police Department

PORTLAND MAN ARRESTED FOR WEAPONS VIOLATION Ashland Police arrested Michael Guthrie, of Portland, MO, on a weapons violation. On Tuesday, January 5, an officer was conducting traffic enforcement in the city of Ashland. During a traffic stop, officers were advised of a firearm in the vehicle. A pistol was located in the center console; the driver, Guthrie, was discovered to be a convicted felon. ... Guthrie was arrested for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Guthrie was transported to the Boone County Jail and made to post bond. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. # # # -PIO

APD ARRESTS MID-MISSOURI MAN FOR FELONY DRUGS, WEAPONS VIOLATION Ashland Police arrested Edward Bailey II, of Jefferson City, on drug and weapons violations. On Wednesday, January 6, an officer was conducting traffic enforcement in the city of Ashland. During a traffic stop, the officer developed probable cause to search Bailey’s vehicle. The search resulted in the discovery of bags of marijuana packaged for sale, a powdery substance which field-tested positive for opiates, a...nd a loaded pistol in Bailey’s waistband. Bailey was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, delivery of less than 35 grams of marijuana, and unlawful use of a weapon. Bailey was transported to the Boone County Jail and made to post bond. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. # # # -PIO

Columbia Police is seeking the public's assistance in locating Jewely Clark, a white, 12 year-old female. Clark is 5'2 and weighs approximately 110 lbs. She has... brown eyes and brown hair. Clark was last seen by her father wearing a gray sweatshirt, black jogging pants and black shoes. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous. Case Number 2021-000048

A crash in the 100 block of Ash St. may have caused a power and/or utility outage in the area. -PIO

FOUND PROPERTY An officer located this tool box in the roadway. If it is yours, please call 311 and request to speak with an Ashland officer. If you can prove it is yours, it will be returned to you. -PIO

You may notice a new face around town; Officer Devin Stevenson was sworn in this morning as Ashland’s newest officer. Ofc. Stevenson recently moved from the St. Louis area to the mid-Missouri area with his wife. He previously worked for the St. Charles Community College Police Department and the Creve Coeur Police Department. Ofc. Stevenson also comes to Ashland with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certification. Ofc. Stevenson began his field training today (October 28th), ...which consists of at least 30 shifts with other officers before he is released to solo patrol duties. -PIO

Ashland residents: Mark your calendars and plan ahead for a couple street repair projects Ashland Public Works has coming up.

Road conditions are less than favorable this morning. Keep it between the ditches and shiny side up by allowing more time for your commute. Buckle up, phone down, and drive safe! -Chief

**Vehicle Chase Leads to Arrest of Texas Man** During the early morning hours of 10-24-2020, an Ashland Police Officer measured the speed of a 2018 Hyundai Sonata traveling through Ashland on northbound Highway 63 at 107 miles per hour. The officer attempted to overtake the Hyundai and the driver refused to stop, leading the officer on a high speed chase. During the pursuit, the officer reported speeds of 120 miles per hour. With the assistance of the Boone County Sheriff's D...epartment and the Columbia Police Department, the driver of the Hyundai was apprehended in southeast Columbia, Missouri. The 19 year old driver of the vehicle, Matthew J. Murphy, of Harker Heights, Texas, was taken into custody without incident. In the State of Missouri, the crime of Resisting Arrest is enhanced to a felony offense when a person creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to any person while fleeing. Murphy was booked into the Boone County Jail on one count each of: 1) Resisting Arrest by Fleeing (felony); 2) Careless and Imprudent Driving; 3) Possession of Marijuana (misdemeanor). All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Release authorized by: Chief Gabe Edwards

An new enhanced crosswalk system has been put into place at the Southern Boone County Primary School to safely protect our children while going to and from scho...ol. In the photos below are Mayor Richard Sullivan, City Administrator Tony St. Romaine, Police Chief Gabe Edwards, Maintenance Director James Creel and Superintendent Chris Felmlee. See more

ASHLAND MAN ARRESTED FOR DRUGS; TWO CHILDREN TAKEN INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY Ashland Police arrested Randy E. Bobbitt, of Ashland, MO, on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. On Tuesday, October 20, an Ashland officer was dispatched to assist the Boone County Children’s Division with an investigation. When the officer contacted Bobbitt (who is not the focus of the Children’s Division’s investigation), the officer observ...ed Bobbitt to be holding a glass smoking device. The device contained residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Additional methamphetamine was found on Bobbitt’s person. Bobbitt was transported to the Boone County Jail and made to post bond. Two juveniles were taken into protective custody as a result of Bobbitt’s arrest. APD was assisted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department in transporting one of the juveniles from the school to the police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. # # # -PIO

FALL DRUG TAKE-BACK The Ashland Police Department will join other law enforcement agencies and participate in the fall drug take-back program. The take-back will take place on Saturday, October 24, from 10 am until 1 pm at the Ashland Police Department located at 601 E. Broadway. APD will accept expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications during the take-back event, with no questions asked. Liquids, needles, and sharps are not accepted for the take-back program, b...ut APD does have limited sharps disposal containers available. Drug take-back events help reduce the number of available opioids and other dangerous medications in households across the country. These efforts remove these medications from homes where they would otherwise be vulnerable to misuse, theft, and abuse by family members, visitors, and children. # # # -PIO

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO FELONY DRUG ARREST On Tuesday, October 13, two Ashland officers observed a traffic violation in Ashland and subsequently performed a traffic stop of the vehicle. During the stop, the driver admitted to having drug paraphernalia and injecting himself with methamphetamine earlier that day. During a search of the vehicle, the officers discovered syringes containing a liquid which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers arrested Quinn Sheridan, o...f Jefferson City, on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sheridan was transported to the Boone County Jail and made to post bond. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. # # # -PIO

If you travel South Main Street between Broadway and Henry Clay Boulevard, you'll likely notice a change in the speed limit. As indicated in the press release prepared by Public Works, the change was adopted by the Ashland Board of Alderman. Thank you, and drive safe! -Chief

You may have noticed a change to the flashing school zone lights on S. Henry Clay; they are now active Monday-Friday from about 7:30am-3:30pm. Please note the change; school zone speed limit is 20 and will be enforced. Thank you for helping keep our kiddos safe! -PIO

We recently received some gift cards to a local business. Additionally, we have recently had our orders paid for at local restaurants. We are grateful for the support and thoughtfulness of our community! Often, these gestures turn around our days. -PIO

TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN FELONY DRUG ARREST On Saturday, September 26, Ashland officers initiated a traffic stop after observing a minor traffic violation at Oak St. and E. Broadway. During the stop, officers discovered marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The driver, Gregory Silvey, of Columbia, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.... All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ### -PIO