BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reports one man in custody on charges stemming from a pursuit.
Deron Fonsha McClinton (38) of 412 Cole Avenue, Sikeston, has been charged with the Class D Felony of Resisting Arrest by Fleeing and Creating a Substantial Risk of Injury or Death to Any Person, the Class A Misdemeanor of Operating a Motor Vehicle in a Careless and Imprudent Manner, the Class B Misdemeanor of Exceeding the Posted Speed Limit by 26 Miles Per Hour or More, and the Class C Misdemeanor of Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign.
Sheriff Walter states that on Tuesday, December 30th, at approximately 6:26 p.m., Deputy John Caudle was traveling south on State Highway BB in Scott County when he observed a vehicle fail to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of State Highway BB and State Highway Y.
Deputy Caudle observed that the vehicle seemed to be quickly accelerating away as he attempted to move into position behind it. The deputy checked the speed of the vehicle on radar at 110 miles per hour. As Deputy Caudle followed, the vehicle continued to pull away.
The vehicle slowed down as it approached the intersection of State Highway BB and State Highway 114. This allowed the deputy to get close enough to get a good description, and to observe that the vehicle, a black Chevrolet Impala with Missouri license, run another stop sign as it turned onto Highway 114.
Deputy Caudle activated his emergency lighting and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle failed to yield and accelerated away with the speed reaching 106 miles per hour.
The Impala entered the city of Sikeston and continued an attempt to elude the deputy; Turning first on Jaycee Street and then onto Lee Street, a dead end road. The Impala was slowing near the dead end and suddenly braked hard. The deputy’s vehicle struck the rear of the Impala which was then pushed in an attempt to pin it against a fence and immobilize it from fleeing further.
When the Impala ceased further movement the driver exited and fled on foot. Deputy Caudle shouted for the subject to stop advising him he was under arrest. The foot pursuit occurred in the 400 block of Cole Street which is adjacent to and close to where the Impala came to rest. At one point the deputy was close enough to deploy his Taser, but the leads broke as the driver continued to flee. Deputy Caudle observed the driver attempting to enter a window at 412 Cole and then run behind the residence. He then disappeared. It was apparent that McClinton had entered the residence.
Other deputies, officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety (SDPS), and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to assist in apprehending the driver. A perimeter was quickly set up to limit further flight.
McClinton called the Sikeston Department of Public Safety in an attempt to report his vehicle as stolen. Deputy Caudle with a SDPS Sergeant made contact with McClinton and other occupants of 412 Cole. It was determined that McClinton wanted to report the Impala involved in the pursuit as a stolen vehicle. Officers were given permission to enter the residence and McClinton was the only person of those present fitting the description of the subject that fled. Interviews were conducted and inconsistencies were noted. Deputy Caudle arrested McClinton, and he was transported by Deputy Carl Rose to the Scott County Jail. The Impala was towed and impounded per agency policy.
Sheriff Walter commends Deputy Caudle on the arrest. The Sheriff thanks the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance. Sheriff Walter asks that anyone who has further information regarding this incident, other criminal activity involving McClinton, or any other crimes to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at 545-3525, or leave a message on the crime tip line at 1-866-210-4322.
McClinton remains in custody at the Scott County Jail. Bond was set by the court at $5,000.00 cash only.
