Timothy Hopkins, Stolen Patrol Vehicle Theft, MO 2024

ST. LOUIS, MO – Two Missouri men are facing federal prison time after admitting their roles in a chaotic crime spree that began with the theft of a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle and ended with the illegal possession of stolen firearms. Timothy Hopkins, 43, of O’Fallon, MO, and Richard O’Hara, 30, of Richwoods, MO, each pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm earlier today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross. Sentencing is scheduled for August 27, 2019.

The trouble began on June 20, 2018, when Hopkins, already a convicted felon, attempted to skip out on a gas station bill in Jefferson County. When confronted by a deputy, who discovered an active warrant for Hopkins’ arrest, the suspect escalated the situation to a full-blown carjacking. Hopkins managed to handcuff himself in front, then slid into the driver’s seat and fled in the patrol car, which contained a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, and multiple magazines.

The stolen vehicle led officers to a residence near Richwoods, Missouri, where Hopkins sought help from co-defendant James Martin. According to court documents, Hopkins brazenly admitted he wasn’t a law enforcement officer and asked Martin to cut off his handcuffs. After complying, Martin received the 12-gauge shotgun and the AR-15 from Hopkins, who also allowed Martin to ransack the patrol car, pilfering a law enforcement badge, flashlight, and multi-tool. Martin then passed the AR-15 on to Richard O’Hara, also a convicted felon.

The ensuing chase was a reckless display of danger. Hopkins drove the stolen patrol car through Washington County, Missouri, leading law enforcement on a pursuit involving air and ground units. He attempted to evade capture by driving through fields and wooded trails, causing damage to numerous patrol cars, including the stolen vehicle itself. The chase ended when Hopkins crashed the patrol car into a ditch, exiting through a window before tripping and falling, allowing deputies to take him into custody.

Jefferson County Sheriff David Marshak lauded the efforts of his deputies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We are proud of the actions taken by our deputies… in securing these convictions,” Sheriff Marshak stated. “We are equally proud of the efforts, training and measures we have undertaken department-wide since this incident occurred to ensure that it does not happen again.”

Hopkins faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The judge will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines when determining his sentence. James Martin previously pleaded guilty in March 2019 to possession of stolen firearm/ammunition and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2019. The case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dunkel leading the prosecution.

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