Jasper traffic stop leads to 2 arrests, including one on warrant for armed robbery

(From the Jasper Police Department)

On Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 1000 hours, a Jasper, Mo Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop NB on I-49 just north of Thorn Rd., on a red 2009 GMC Sierra.

 
Contact was made with the driver who stated he didn’t have a driver’s license on his person and gave the name of Shawn Miller. Contact was made with the passenger, who stated he did not have ID on him and gave the name of Christian Miller and gave month and date of birth, but when asked about the year he was born, he got defensive and stated “why do you need to know that?" The passenger claimed he was 16. Based upon his appearance, voice and features, it appeared he was lying.

 
After attempts to find a “Christian Miller” out of this area and failing to do so. contact was made with the driver and passenger once again and confronted about what the passenger’s name was. The driver advised it was Christian Miller and it was his nephew. The passenger still claimed his name was Christian Miller, but gave a different year of birth, and still claimed he was 16. 

Once again, the passenger was confronted about his obvious lying, then decided to flee on foot. After a short foot pursuit where the officer hit the ditch then un-gracefully rolled on asphalt and scraping up hands and elbows and getting back up, the passenger. was apprehended. He was later positively identified as Nathaniel Valentine.

 
A search of the vehicle was conducted. After finding a wallet “stuffed” between the front driver’s seat and center console, an ID was located with the name Jacob Miller. 

The officer looked at the picture and the driver and determined the driver wasn’t “Shawn Miller," but Jacob Miller. The officer yelled “Jacob”, “Jacob”, “Jacob”, in which Jacob did not acknowledge the officer’s existence. 

After being confronted, Jacob admitted his name is in fact Jacob Miller and he lied because he knew he had a revoked driver’s license and didn’t want to go to jail.

 
It was later determined Jacob is Nathaniel’s father.

 
Nathaniel had an active felony warrant for 1st degree armed robbery and armed criminal action as well as several warrants out of Carthage Police Department.

Nathaniel was arrested held on the active warrants as well as new charges for interfering/resisting arrest.

 
Jacob was arrested and held for driving while revoked and interfering/resisting arrest.

 
Both Jacob and Nathaniel are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.