Cape police investigate stolen car, damaged mailboxes

Cape Girardeau police investigated the possible connection between several vehicle break-ins, a stolen car and several mailboxes that had been run over early Thursday.

Police reports indicate that a white, 1997 Pontiac Grand Am was stolen overnight Wednesday from 1453 N. Water St. and items were stolen from several cars in the area.

Officers spotted the car about 4 a.m. Thursday while investigating a report of a careless driver at Jefferson and Henderson.

When they tried to pull over the car over, the driver fled, leading patrolman Rodney Barker on a chase north on Henderson. After the car flew through six stop signs, Barker ended the chase.

"The driver was getting too reckless," said police Sgt. Rick Schmidt. "Our officer chose to end the chase rather than risk someone being hurt."

The driver of the stolen car is suspected of leaving the scene of an accident on Hawthorne near Arena Park. No one was injured in that crash. He's also wanted for questioning, after police discovered several damaged mailboxes on Chrysler.

Joyce Cummins, of 2731 Chrysler, said police woke her early Thursday to ask if she wanted to file a report about her damaged mailbox.

"My mail was completely undeliverable today," she said, adding that she was expecting an important check.