Cape man arrested in Sikeston after car chase

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Department of Public Safety arrested a Cape Girardeau man Friday afternoon after a short car chase through town, Capt. Mark Crocker said.

Crocker said Tuesday that James Barnhill, 30, allegedly stationed himself outside of a Sikeston day care on West North Street and took a billfold from a patron's unlocked vehicle when she was inside.

At about 5 p.m., Crocker said, the victim called police and gave a description of the vehicle he sped off in. He was subsequently spotted by a Sikeston narcotics detective on North West Street near Compress Road.

After the detective activated his siren and emergency lights, Barnhill reportedly tried to avoid capture by driving west on Compress Road at speeds of more than 80 mph. The chase ended when Barnhill reached the end of the dead-end road and the officer was able to block the roadway and order the suspect out of the car.

"It was a real short chase," Crocker said.

Police uncovered seven wallets from Barnhill's vehicle after he was arrested, Crocker said.

He added that when checking the items, it was found that they belonged to people in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Poplar Bluff, Mo., where Barnhill had apparently used the same method of operation in some of the thefts.

"He waited until he saw that someone was going into the day care without their purse," he said.

If their car was left unlocked, Barnhill would allegedly enter it and take their purses.

Crocker said Barnhill was transported to Scott County Jail under a $25,000 bond Saturday.

Scott County prosecutor Paul Boyd charged Barnhill with felony stealing in the Sikeston incident along with additional traffic charges from the pursuit, Crocker said, and Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau and Jackson police are conducting their own investigations.

Boyd could not be reached Tuesday for further information about the charges.

carel@semissourian.com

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