According to a press release from the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, on October 5, 2023 at approximately 11:12 PM, Callaway County Sheriff’s Office deputies were on routine patrol in the Kingdom City area. While on patrol deputies observed 54 year old Michael Benney of Centertown, entering a vehicle at a local gas station. Depuies were already aware of a $10,000 cash-only warrant for Benney, issued by Madison County, Missouri, for charges related to Driving While Revoked and Resisting Arrest (Felony).
Upon attempting to stop Benney, he initiated a high-speed flight from law enforcement, heading westbound on Interstate 70 at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour.
The pursuit continued to the city of Columbia, where the vehicle temporarily transitioned onto city streets before returning to Interstate 70. At mile marker 123 on Interstate 70, the vehicle came to a halt, where Benney fled on foot.
Efforts to locate Benney led to the involvement of Missouri State Highway Patrol and Boone County Sheriff’s Office – MO deputies along with K9 units, who successfully tracked down and apprehended him.
Subsequent investigation uncovered approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Sccy pistol within the vehicle.
As a result of these events, Michael Benney now faces the following felony charges:
- Felony Resisting Arrest (with a substantial risk of injury/death)
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon (subsection 11)
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (as Benney is a convicted felon)
- Delivery of a Controlled Substance