High-Speed Chase in St. Francois County Ends in Arrest

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A high-speed pursuit through St. Francois County ended in the arrest of an Illinois man on Monday morning.

At approximately 8:45 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, a St. Francois County Deputy observed a black Dodge Charger speeding north on Highway 221 near the intersection of Hildebrecht Road. The vehicle was traveling at over 100 mph in a 45 mph zone, illegally passing multiple motorists by using the center turn lane and opposing lanes of traffic. When the Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver refused to yield, accelerating further in an effort to evade law enforcement. A second Deputy, positioned ahead of the suspect’s route, intervened to prevent the vehicle from reaching the City of Farmington. Working together, the Deputies successfully stopped the vehicle and detained the driver without further incident. Upon investigation, officers found that the vehicle’s Illinois license plates had been expired for over three years.

The driver, identified as Gavin S. Stockett of Belleville, Illinois, was taken into custody and transported to the St. Francois County Detention Center.

Charges submitted to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office include aggravated fleeing (Valentine’s Law), careless and imprudent driving, speeding, and failure to register a motor vehicle.