Bluff man in jail after leading police on high-speed chase

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man faces multiple traffic violations after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through the south end early Friday.

Bennie L. Wells was arrested on five counts of running a stop sign, three counts of making an illegal turn, four counts of driving left of center, speeding, failure to yield, no proof of insurance, driving while revoked and driving while intoxicated.

According to police, the chase began when officers saw a 1987 Ford Thunderbird run two stop signs at 12:25 a.m.

Patrolman Andy Cleaveland and reserve officer Eric Walker tried to pull the car over at Broadway and Arthur; however, the vehicle failed to stop or slow down, according to the police report.

Cleaveland estimated speeds reached about 70 mph during the pursuit, which ended when the vehicle turned into a driveway on Emma Street and stopped.

A search of Wells revealed a knife in the waistband of his pants and from his pocket a cigarette wrapper containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine, Cleaveland said.