Arkansas home invasion suspect arrested in Southeast Missouri city

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A vehicle involved in a high-speed chase in Caruthersville was stolen following a home invasion in Arkansas.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat reported that at 3:15 a.m. Sunday, Caruthersville police were responding to a report of a trespasser on East Haven Street, when they observed a vehicle leaving the area at high speed with no lights on. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however the driver failed to yield and a pursuit began, according to a news release issued by the Caruthersville Police Department.

"The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate the curve at East 18th and Lincoln and struck a tree," said Caruthersville City Marshal Chris Riggs.

Two people exited the vehicle, attempting to flee on foot. The vehicle's passenger, Kevin Buford II, 18, of Luxora, Ark., was taken into custody at the scene.

A .40-caliber pistol was discovered in the vehicle following the crash.

Officers were later notified by Luxora police that the vehicle was stolen in an armed home invasion robbery. A woman had been tied up in her home and was located by her husband returning from work at 7:30 a.m.

Burford is charged with resisting arrest and a weapons violation. He was being held Monday Tuesday morning in the Pemiscot County Jail.

According to Riggs, officers have learned the name of the vehicle's driver, who is also from Luxora, and are seeking formal charges against him, also.

In an apparently related incident, at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Caruthersville police were called to a residence on East Haven by a woman who found her young child playing with a handgun.

The woman told officers her child had found the gun laying in the bushes. "As soon as she saw the gun, she took it away and called police," Riggs said. "Officers arrived and seized the gun which was loaded with two rounds of live ammunition."

Riggs said the gun is believed to be connected to the suspect who fled from officers.