Ash Grove’s Westerman flees RPD, WPD, Greene Co. Sheriff’s deputies

Westerman

Persistent offender eventually found hiding in trash can, faces slew of charges; in custody
An Ash Grove resident is facing charges of vehicle tampering, a Class D felony, after he allegedly took a car without permission. Travis Westerman, 33, was booked into the Greene County Jail after he was taken into custody on Saturday, Sept. 21.
According to the probable cause statement in the case, the owner of a red 2020 Toyota Camry, who lived at a Greene County residence where Westerman had been staying for three weeks, contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Office to report his vehicle missing.
A relative of Westerman then said that she saw Westerman enter the residence in the early morning hours, take the keys to the vehicle, enter the garage and then drive off in the Camry. The owner said he never permitted Westerman to drive the car previously and did not give him permission to take it. He also said Westerman was most likely going to see his girlfriend in Republic.
According to a statement requesting a warrant for arrest filed by Danielle Pitera, assistant Greene County prosecuting attorney, Westerman was spotted driving the car by Willard police officers, who attempted to initiate a stop after he crossed the center line of the road several times, but Westerman fled in the vehicle. After he allegedly crashed the vehicle, Pitera wrote, Westerman continued to flee on foot and was later located by officers with the Republic and Willard Police Departments, as well as Greene County deputy sheriffs, hiding in a trash can.

Pitera also stated that a blood draw was done on Westerman, and he was “observed showing indicators of intoxication.”
According to the criminal complaint filed against him, Westerman is being charged as a prior and persistent offender. The complaint listed two previous convictions against him: one for first degree burglary in Greene County, for which he was convicted on May 14, 2012, and the other for theft of a firearm, for which he was convicted in Cedar County on Feb. 24, 2014. If convicted as a prior and persistent offender, Westerman can be given an extended prison sentence.
As of press time, Westerman remained in custody in the Greene County Jail, and no court date had been set for him. He also has an outstanding warrant in Dade County, where he was a no-show for a court date regarding a charge of resisting arrest.

 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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