St. Louis County felon admits being caught with guns in stolen car after shootout, chase (DOJ)

ST. LOUIS - A convicted felon from Berkeley, Missouri on Tuesday admitted being caught with two guns in a stolen car after a shootout and police chase last year.

Ja'Lon Pittman, 22, of Berkeley, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted being caught with a stolen AK-style pistol and a Glock pistol on July 28, 2025. Earlier that day, a man told the Columbia, Missouri police that Pittman had taken his Chrysler 300 without his permission, and possibly his watch and gun. The victim told officers that he located Pittman and during a confrontation, the two exchanged gunfire. Police notified the Missouri State Highway Patrol that Pittman may be heading to the St. Louis area, and troopers spotted him and tried to stop him on Interstate 70. Pittman sped away, driving in excess of 120 m.p.h. and weaving in and out of traffic before crashing near the Blanchette Bridge. Pittman ran away but was found hiding under a van in a nearby parking lot. Investigators found the victim's Romarm Cugir Micro Draco pistol in the car and a Glock in a bag that Pittman discarded. Pittman was wearing the stolen watch.

The Columbia Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

Contact

Robert Patrick, Public Affairs Officer, [email protected].

Updated September 16, 2026