Dexter man charged in hostage situation to seek mental evaluation

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter man charged in connection with a hostage situation last Sunday appeared before Judge Joe Satterfield Wednesday.

Toby Lacy, 30, alongside his attorney, requested that his hearing be pushed back to allow them time to look into his medical or psychiatric options.

Charged with the Class C felony of felonious restraint, Lacy will appear in court again on Thursday.

Reportedly, a 911 call came in Sunday afternoon from a residence northwest of Dexter's city limits. The caller told the operator that law enforcement had 10 minutes to come pick him up or he was "going to start killing people."

Deputies from the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office began arriving on the scene and warning neighbors to stay inside their homes.

Lacy had three people inside the home whom he was allegedly holding hostage in an effort to go back to prison.

One of the hostages said Lacy then became upset and told them that he was going to take a toy pistol and point it at the police to force the officers to shoot him.

Following repeated contact with the suspect, Lacy agreed to surrender if Sheriff Carl Hefner promised the K-9 dog wouldn't bite.

Hefner and Deputy Andy Harris then approached the home in a patrol car and Lacy exited the front door with his hands in the air and a pistol which he then laid on the trunk of a car in the driveway.

The weapon was found to be an air pistol, capable of firing only pellets.

Lacy is currently in Stoddard County Jail facing $12,500 cash-only bond.