Caruthersville armed robbery suspect arrested after crashing into police cars using stolen car

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A suspected armed robber was arrested Saturday but not before he caused major damage to the vehicle he allegedly stole and two police vehicles.

Reginald Ricks, 24, of Caruthersville was being held Monday in the Pemiscot County Jail without bond following an early morning chase Saturday. Charges pending against Ricks included first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, armed criminal action, first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, felony property damage, felony resisting arrest by fleeing, tampering with a motor vehicle, felonious restraint and endangering the welfare of a child.

Caruthersville City Marshal Chris Riggs said his office was contacted at 6 a.m. Saturday about a home invasion at the Taven Apartments by a man armed with a knife. The man reportedly held two victims and a small child at knife point while forcibly taking the keys to a vehicle and other personal property.

The victims advised police the suspect was heading to the East Haven Apartment complex.

Officers responding split up, with two units going to check on the victims and two units attempting to intercept the stolen vehicle, Riggs said. Officers observed the vehicle at the intersection of 15th and Ward streets and attempted to stop it. When the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit began.

"CPD units pursued the suspect through many streets and alleys with a large portion of the pursuit being in and around the East Haven Federal Housing complex," Riggs said in a news release. "During the pursuit the suspect struck two CPD units and damaged mail boxes and other private property."

The pursuit ended on East 20th Street when the suspected attempted to run his vehicle head-on into one of the CPD units. Riggs said officers were finally able to disable the stolen car using one of the already damaged police units.

According to Riggs, one officer received minor injuries to his hands while trying to remove Ricks from the stolen vehicle. The officer was treated and released at the Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital.

Riggs reported the stolen vehicle received major damage and is considered a total loss. Two CPD units also received "substantial" damage, he said.

In addition to the charges stemming from the robbery and pursuit, Ricks is also wanted on an outstanding felony parole warrant.

Pertinent address:

15th Street and Ward Street, Caruthersville, MO

East 20th Street, Caruthersville, MO