Franklin County teens jailed after local incident

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two runaway juveniles from Franklin County were arrested Sunday evening following a purse snatching at Wal-Mart.

The juveniles were taken into custody after being pursued by citizens who witnessed the incident and chased the suspect until officers arrived.

According to the Department of Public Safety, a juvenile male grabbed a Wal-Mart shopper's purse from her cart while she wasn't looking and then fled across South Main at about 8:30 p.m.

Officers followed the suspects onto the Sonic lot and blocked the exit. The suspect driver, a female juvenile, drove directly into a blocking DPS vehicle causing minor damage and injuring PSO Brian Dover's leg, according to the DPS. Dover was treated and released from Missouri Delta Medical Center.

As the vehicle used by the suspects was reported stolen from Cape Girardeau Sunday, the juveniles are facing auto theft charges in addition to first degree assault on a law enforcement officer, second degree robbery and stealing.