Illinois man arrested after Wednesday night car chase in Cape Girardeau

An Illinois man led police on a brief chase through downtown Cape Girardeau Wednesday night, crashing his car twice in the process.

Police were responding to a report of a disturbance at 416 N. Frederick St. around 9:30 p.m. when Dustin Turner, 20, of Thebes, Ill., quickly tried to leave the area in his car, striking a parked car in the process, according to police reports.

Other officers who were near the scene found Turner's vehicle at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Marie Street. Police chased the vehicle for about 30 seconds, during which time Turner failed to stop at five stop signs. Officers stopped their pursuit at the intersection of Frederick and Good Hope streets because of dangerously high speeds, Lt. John Davis said.

A few minutes later, a pedestrian told officers he heard a crash on Jefferson Avenue and then police discovered the Pontiac Sunfire Turner was driving had hit a fence near Jefferson Avenue and Frederick Street. No one was inside the car.

Turner was later found and arrested at 10:25 p.m. in the rest room at Rhodes 101, 546 S. Sprigg St.

According to police reports, he was not wearing a shirt or shoes and claimed he was homeless. Police recovered keys in his pocket and determined they matched the vehicle involved in the chase.

Police administered a breath test after Turner's arrest which showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.201.

Turner was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, resisting a lawful stop and driving while intoxicated.

He was also charged with third-degree assault for allegedly punching a female resident at 416 N. Frederick St.

Turner's bond was set at 10,000 cash only by Judge Gary Kamp.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

416 N. Frederick Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

Washington Avenue and Marie Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

Frederick Street and Good Hope Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

Jefferson Avenue and Frederick Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

546 S. Sprigg Street, Cape Girardeau, MO