<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/citylogo-police.png" alt="City of Columbia Missouri Police Department" width="175" height="101" style="margin-right: 5px;">
<img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/policelogo.png" alt="" width="98" height="121" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px;">
<div style="padding-top:40px;
text-align:center;">
<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
<br />
Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both; text-align:center; padding-top: 20px;">
<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">April 3, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian McNeill
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.825.4022
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
<br />
<br />Jenny Hopper
<br />Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.489.2757
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police investigate attempted carjackings in the 2700 block of East Broadway and 500 block of Conley Road</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police responded to an attempted carjacking at approximately 1 p.m. April 2 in the 2700 block of East Broadway. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victims, who were an adult male, an adult female and two children. The incident occurred when the adult male left the vehicle and was inside a store, while the adult female and children were in the vehicle. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The suspect, identified as Josue Lopez, 30, of Camdenton, parked next to the victims’ vehicle and then entered the victims’ vehicle. Lopez attempted to drive away in the victims’ vehicle while the adult female and children were still inside, but he then exited the vehicle. Lopez went back to his vehicle and drove away from the scene. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Approximately 10 minutes later, Columbia Police responded to another attempted carjacking in the 500 block of Conley Road. An adult male victim said that Lopez approached the victim’s parked car and tapped on the front driver-side window. Lopez then dragged the victim from the car and inflicted injuries.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lopez entered the victim’s vehicle and attempted to drive away from the scene but was stopped by the victim and a passerby who was providing assistance. Lopez exited the victim’s vehicle, entered his own vehicle and drove away from the scene.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Police officers then pursued Lopez on Highway 63 south from Columbia to Jefferson City. Police arrested Lopez in the 500 block of Airport Road in Jefferson City.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lopez was charged with third-degree kidnapping, child kidnapping, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, vehicle hijacking, third-degree assault - special victim, resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving, and driving without a license, second offense.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Columbia Police Department is thankful for the assistance of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case numbers 2024-002694 and 2024-002695</strong></p></div>
<br />
<div class="content"></div>
<br />
<div class="attachments"></div>
</div>
<div id="footerline">
<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
</div>
<style>
#pressrelease{ margin:20px; margin-top: 0px;}
.attachments{margin-top: -10px;}
@media print {
body {font-size: 90%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;}
#pressrelease{ margin: 0px; }
}
</style><p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=8756">View this release on CoMO.gov or access a sharable link.</a></p><p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>Archived releases can be viewed online at:
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/directory.php</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided at https://www.como.gov/Web_Mail/ </p><style>div{margin: 10px;}</style>