Numerous charges will be sought against a 34-year-old Festus man who allegedly stole a vehicle, broke into two businesses and crashed through a garage door in De Soto in an early morning crime spree on Saturday (July 29).
A De Soto resident called police at about 3:30 a.m. to say he had seen a vehicle leaving the Purcell Tire and Service Center, 300 Main St., Police Chief Rick Draper said. When officers arrived at the business they found it had been broken into, he said.
“Another officer, also responding to the scene, observed the suspect vehicle (a Purcell company truck) and tried to stop it. The vehicle continued to flee and ultimately the officer terminated his attempt to stop it,” Draper said.
Officers were still investigating the scene at Purcell Tire when at about 5 a.m. De Soto Police received an alarm call from Johnston Construction, 12727 Hwy. 21. When officers arrived at the construction company, they saw the Purcell truck there.
“While attempting to flee, the suspect drove through the garage (door),” Draper said.
The officer arrested the driver, who had injuries from the crash. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then was released to police, who held him in the De Soto jail until he could be transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro for a parole violation.
Draper said De Soto Police will seek charges that could include two counts of burglary in the second degree, tampering with a motor vehicle, property damage and resisting arrest by flight, “to name a few.”
Draper said De Soto Police are indebted to the resident who called police and to the officers who caught the suspect.
“Great work can only happen when we work together,” Draper said. “This was a job well done.”