Traffic stop turns into high-speed police chase

DEXTER, Mo. -- A routine traffic stop Friday abruptly turned into a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies and ended with a flaming vehicle in Dexter.

Deputy Cody Wilson pulled over Andrew Lee Bell, 40, of Cape Girardeau at Highway 25 and County Road 672 for operating a vehicle without a functioning license plate light, according to a warrant affidavit filed with the Stoddard County Sheriff's Office.

After Wilson had identified Bell, he discovered Bell had "multiple warrants through Scott County and Dunklin County, one of which was a felony warrant for passing bad checks and the other two misdemeanors for failure to appear."

After Wilson attempted to get Bell to exit his vehicle, an affidavit states, Bell "sped off, throwing gravel."

Wilson contacted dispatch about the situation, and Missouri State Highway Patrolman Matt Foster said he would set up spike strips at Highway 25 and Route AF, according to the affidavit.

While leading Wilson on a chase, Bell reached speeds of more than 98 mph and swerved into oncoming traffic lanes while passing vehicles.

Wilson reported slowing his pursuit in an effort to get Bell to slow down. After that tactic failed, Foster deployed spike strips, deflating Bell's front left tire. But Bell continued to give chase north on Highway 25 and still passed cars in oncoming lanes and forced vehicles to the shoulder of the road.

Bell then turned west on Stoddard Street in Dexter, and the deflated tire came off completely, causing the car to ride on the rim, which damaged the roadway and started throwing sparks. Bell reportedly gave chase on Stoddard Street to Market Street. While giving chase on Market Street, Bell reportedly almost struck a parked vehicle and ran a stop sign and then continued north on Highway 25 until his vehicle caught fire.

Bell reportedly exited the vehicle and started running west on foot. As Bell was approached by officers, he stopped and got down on the ground; but, according to the report, would not give officers his hands and kept them under his body where they were not visible. Bell was then reportedly Tasered by a Dexter police officer and then gave up his hands and was taken into custody.

Bell was formally charged with felony resisting arrest and bond was set at $20,000 cash. He remains in jail.