By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A high-speed pursuit ended with the arrest of a suspected violent felon, but not until the chase by law enforcement ran through three counties, ending in Marshall.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reports Linn County gave it a heads up yesterday afternoon that deputies there were in pursuit of a driver considered dangerous and likely armed, wanted by Linn County and federal authorities in connection with a recent armed robbery.
Near Wheeling, the suspect sped north of U.S. 36 Highway and nearly hit a Livingston County Sheriff vehicle head-on. The suspect drove onto U.S. 36, heading west.
Livingston County Deputy John Stafford used spike strips to blow out the right front tire of the pickup, but the driver kept going. Seeing additional spike strips deployed, the suspect crossed into on-coming traffic on U.S. 36, driving west in the east bound lanes all the way to Chillicothe, turning off to go the wrong way on U.S. 65 Highway, heading south.
Speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour, according to the sheriff’s office. The right front tire of the fleeing vehicle went flat and shredded off the rim near Carrollton. Carrollton police blocked the entrances to the city as the chase continued south on U.S. 65 into Saline County. Marshall police blocked the entrances to that city as well. Two Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers joined the pursuit, which ended at the south end of Marshall more than an hour after it began. Officers took the suspect into custody.
Authorities say methamphetamine was found scattered on the driver’s seat and throughout the interior of the pickup. The driver had thrown other material from the pickup, according to the sheriff’s office.