Auxvasse Man Arrested After Stolen Vehicle/Burglary Investigation and Lengthy Ground Search

The following is a press release from the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.

On October 21, 2023, at approximately 5:38pm, Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of a stolen Dodge pickup truck, which had been taken from a residence on Oak Street in Auxvasse.

Moments later, deputies were notified that the stolen truck was heading west on State Road E outside of Auxvasse, and another resident reported the vehicle was now parked in the 700 block of County Road 271.

Upon arrival, multiple deputies determined that the driver of the stolen truck, 26-year-old Michael J. Crum of Auxvasse, had fled into a wooded area.

Deputies, assisted by K9 Krieger, a Sheriff’s Office drone with a thermal camera, and an off-duty deputy with a UTV, converged on the area and conducted a lengthy search for Crum.

During this search, deputies encountered Crum running between deputy locations, refusing to stop, and fleeing in different directions. After approximately 42 minutes of tracking, the Sheriff’s Office drone was able to spot Crum hiding in thick brush and coordinated deputies to his exact location.

In the course of their investigation, deputies also spoke with a resident in the 700 block of County Road 271.

The resident reported that Crum had forced his way into their locked residence, during which he displayed erratic behavior, physically assaulted them, and made demands for firearms.

The victim reported sustaining minor injuries, including scratches and a bruise.

The victim also reported that as Crum fled their residence, he obtained a shovel and struck a dog on the head and leg before fleeing again.

Michael Crum was arrested on a slew of felony charges and transported to the Callaway County Jail.