Advertisement Man with shotgun at large after stealing police car Police describe Joshua Boyd, 30, as mentally ill Share Shares Copy Link Copy

People near Pattonsburg, Mo. are urged to use caution and observe their surroundings as police look for an armed man they said was mentally ill and stole an officer's car overnight.Kansas City police say Joshua Boyd, 30, was able to steal the police cruiser with a shotgun inside. Police said Boyd is white, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, 170 pounds and has brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt and khaki shorts. He is also listed as a noncompliant sex offender on Missouri's registry. According to the registry, he had sex with a 14-year-old girl in Cedar City, Utah, nearly six years ago.A different law enforcement agency recovered the Kansas City police vehicle abandoned along I-35 near Pattonsburg, but Boyd and the shotgun are still missing."We've had zero leads, zero calls, I mean, we haven't even had a person wrongly identified or anything," said Sgt. Jake Angle of the Missouri Highway Patrol. "It's just, the trail's really gone cold.""We'll dissipate as far as the manpower in the immediate area but still keep several canvassing the area in case any sightings or calls, suspicious parties come out," said Daviess County Sheriff Ben Becerra.Kansas City police originally responded to a call about an emotionally disturbed person at a gas station near 38th and Main streets about 2 a.m. Wednesday. Police said Boyd struggled with an officer, jumped into his vehicle and sped off in it.The two officers chased the stolen cruiser to 12th Street and Broadway Boulevard when it got away from them.Police said they were able to track the cruiser to Pattonsburg by using the officer's cellphone, which was still inside. The officer's shotgun, which had been secured in the vehicle, was missing.Police said there is a series of steps needed to get access to the gun and the man was able to do it.The school in Pattonsburg was locked down on Wednesday and the students stayed inside for recess because of the rain.Authorities in the area of Pattonsburg urge people who live nearby to stay aware. If you see anything suspicious or anyone suspicious, call 911. They also urged people to secure their homes and cars."Better safe than sorry," Angle said. "If you see something suspicious or hear something suspicious, you know, don't hesitate to call. That's what our officers are out here for. We want everyone to feel safe."