Full Notification

Greene County Sheriff's Deputies arrest armed auto theft suspect after extensive search and assistance from multiple agencies

On Thursday (09/01/16) morning, a citizen contacted 9-1-1 after observing a suspicious male and female walking in the area of North Farm Road 139 and West Sayer Street. Greene County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to contact the pair when the male suspect fled from them. Deputies witnessed him get into a parked white Ford truck at a construction site.

When one of the Deputies tried to stop the suspect from driving away, he brandished a knife and attempted to assault the Deputy; the vehicle owner also tried to intervene. The Deputy was able to get away from the moving vehicle; however, the owner fell from the vehicle sustaining serious injuries. Deputies immediately provided medical attention while the suspect fled the location.

The suspect later lost control of the truck which overturned and fled on foot again into a nearby heavily wooded area where Deputies quickly established a perimeter to conduct a search with the assistance of the GCSO K9 unit and Missouri State Highway Patrol air support. Springfield Public Schools Police officers who were in the area saw the suspect running who was later apprehended by SPS officers and a GCSO Deputy after a brief foot pursuit. He was transported to the Greene County Jail and charges will be submitted to the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. GCSO Detectives continue to investigate this incident.

One female was also taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Greene County Jail. The seriously injured citizen was taken to a local hospital for treatment; the Deputy involved sustained minor injuries.

"It was a huge collaborative effort by several law enforcement agencies to apprehend this suspect," states Sheriff Jim Arnott. "We thank our citizens in the area who provided tips which helped us locate him and take him into custody."

*A charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.*