Two arrested after high-speed chase that ends in Scott County

A man in his 20s and a 17-year-old girl were arrested Monday in Scott County after evading the Missouri State Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau County.

The high-speed chase began in Marble Hill, Mo. and ended around 4:30 p.m.in the yard of a residence at Scott County Road 205 and Route M.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said his agency got involved when the driver of the car left Interstate 55 southbound and began traveling at speeds of more than 100 mph on Scott County roads.

Two people were arrested after they led police on a high-speed chase into Scott County in this vehicle Monday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2010. (ERIN HEVERN)

"We weren't involved on the interstate. At the time they were coming down the interstate we were going to intercept, but he came on Route M," Walter said. "Whenever he saw the highway patrol at 205 and Route M, he cut through these people's yard, made a U-turn and turned in front of one of my deputies."

The man, Walter added, said he was fleeing police officers because he had marijuana in the vehicle and didn't want to go back to jail. The 17-year-old in the vehicle told deputies she threw the marijuana out the window.

Officers will search the vehicle and do a thorough inventory, Walter said.

While he anticipates Cape Girardeau County will file charges against the driver, Walter said he'll attempt to get the Scott County prosecuting attorney to charge him with assault against law enforcement. The suspect caused damage to several law enforcement vehicles, including a Scott County Sheriff's Department sport utility vehicle, a Scott City Police Department car and a highway patrol car. The Scott City Police Department vehicle and the highway patrol car got in an accident about a mile from where the pursuit ended.

"Before he wrecked here, he ran into one of my deputy's cars, and because of this pursuit he caused the other two to have accidents," Walter said. "I guess he decided to do the ignorant thing and run."

Names of the subjects will be released once formal charges have been filed, Walter said.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635