Stolen lighter leads to car chase, crash, Taser shots, alleged assault and hospital

A man who stole a cigarette lighter from a Cape Girardeau gas station early Wednesday gave chase to police, crashed a vehicle and injured two officers attempting to arrest him for the theft.

Daric A. Stotts, 27, of 3007 Wisteria Drive, was charged with felony resisting a lawful detention by fleeing, misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving, resisting arrest by using violence, assault of a police officer and stealing.

Around 2 a.m., Stotts attempted to buy alcohol at Rhodes 101, 1126 N. Sprigg St. Apparently, he became angry when he was told by a store attendant that he could not sell alcohol so early in the morning due to city law, police Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

After directing "veiled threats" at the attendant, Stotts picked up a cigarette lighter he did not pay for and walked out of the store.

A police officer on patrol in his vehicle was given a description of Stotts' vehicle and spotted it in the 1600 block of North Kingshighway, Hovis said.

The officer turned on his lights and sirens, but the vehicle did not yield. Instead, it turned south onto Mount Auburn Road.

According to a probable-cause statement, Stotts was driving recklessly and reached speeds more than 100 mph.

Near the intersection of Mount Auburn Road and Wisteria Drive, Stotts' vehicle crashed into a wooded area.

When the pursuing officer arrived at the scene of the accident, he ordered the defendant to get on his knees with his hands behind his back, Hovis said.

Stotts refused to listen to the officer and began to flee into the woods. The officer tried to fire his Taser at Stotts, but it was "ineffective," Hovis said. He did not say if the Taser failed to fire or if it did not strike the suspect.

The officer grabbed Stotts to detain him, and a struggled followed. Stotts broke free and ran into the woods.

Instead of pursing the defendant, the officer waited for backup. He suffered scrapes and bruises to his arm, and was treated and released from a local hospital, Hovis said.

As the officer knew who Stotts was, police were dispatched to the defendant's home. When two asked Stotts to come out of his house, the defendant opened his door and charged at both.

"The guy was apparently as strong as a bull," Hovis said, who was told the defendant had a medium height with a stocky build.

An officer attempted to use his Taser, but it too was ineffective, according to Hovis. After the other officer used a debilitating spray and different holds and strikes were used, Stotts was handcuffed.

Stotts was taken to a local hospital for treatment for injuries. Hovis did not know what the injuries were or if the defendant received them from the car accident or from his arrest. One of the officers suffered minor injuries to his hand.

According to Hovis, arresting officers were told Stotts had a violent tendency based on prior contact due to a medical condition. Hovis would not comment on what the man's condition was.

Stotts, who remained hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, had bond set at $15,000 cash.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 127