Assault leads to police chase

By SCOTT MOYERS

Southeast Missourian

Two men, including one suspected of domestic assault, led Cape Girardeau police on a 10-minute chase in a stolen car, authorities said.

The men were eventually apprehended, but not before one police cruiser was slightly damaged in the pursuit.

Both of the men were from St. Louis but have yet to be officially charged, according to police Sgt. Barry Hovis. The men were being held in the city jail Thursday night without bail pending charges of felony theft or tampering, resisting arrest by flight or even vehicular assault, Hovis said. One of the men could also be charged with domestic assault.

The incident began when police received a complaint of domestic assault at 4:41 p.m. at 149 S. West End Blvd. The woman was struck, Hovis said, but was only mildly injured and refused medical treatment. After police took her statement and prepared to leave, the suspect and a friend pulled back in front of the house. Police attempted to stop the car, but the driver refused to yield, Hovis said.

During the pursuit, police ran the license plate number of the 2001 Buick LeSabre, which revealed the car to be stolen from the St. Louis area, Hovis said.

Officers attempted to stop the car on Independence Street, but the car ignored the flashing lights and drove to Kingshighway as two police cars pursued. Hovis said the vehicle did go faster than the posted speed limit, but never fast enough for the officers to feel like the chase should be called off. Because car theft is a felony, the police chase followed department policy for police chases, Hovis said.

About 10 minutes later, the suspects pulled into Starview Trailer Park at 1927 N. Kingshighway. The trailer park has one entrance, so the men were trapped, Hovis said. Police blocked the men in, but the driver backed into one of the police cars, causing a small amount of damage, he said.

The men fled on foot, but were apprehended moments later in a wooded area near the trailer court, Hovis said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137