Suspect rams police car in Stoddard County chase

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Mississippi man was charged Thursday with multiple felonies, including assault on a law enforcement officer, after he allegedly rammed his truck into a police vehicle in an attempt to avoid being arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Frank Bivalacqua, 31, of Columbia, Miss., was charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer armed criminal action, two counts of resisting arrest and first-degree property damage and misdemeanor leaving the scene of a motor-vehicle accident.

After considering the complaint and probable-cause affidavit filed with the court, Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield issued a warrant for Bivalacqua's arrest and set his bond at $50,000 cash.

The charges stem from an incident that began about 12:10 p.m. Wednesday and was investigated by the Dexter Police Department.

According to police Det. Cory Mills' probable cause statement, Cpl. Rick Cook responded to the Stars and Stripes Convenience Store on Route AD in reference to a "suspicious male and female inside the business."

Before his arrival, Mills said, Cook received additional information indicating the man and woman allegedly had left without paying for fuel in what was described as a brown Ford pickup, with Mississippi registration.

"As Cpl. Cook approached the U.S. 60 overpass, he observed the suspect vehicle exiting onto U.S. 60, westbound from AD," Mills said.

Cook reportedly activated the emergency equipment on his patrol car to "initiate an investigative stop; however, the driver, Frank Bivalacqua, continued westbound, failing to yield," Mills explained.

Cook, he said, continued to follow the truck at a "reasonable speed" westbound on U.S. 60 for about three miles until "Bivalacqua pulled to the shoulder of the highway.

"As Cpl. Cook approached the vehicle, Bivalacqua speed away."

Cook, Mills said, caught up to Bivalacqua's truck and attempted to pass him in the left lane.

"Bivalacqua violently veered into the left lane, striking the right side of Cpl. Cook's patrol car," Mills said. "The impact caused Cpl. Cook to lose control and go into the median."

Cook, Mills said, was able to regain control of his car and continue to follow Bivalacqua westbound.

"A quarter of a mile east of Dudley, Bivalacqua went into the median and got into the eastbound lane," Mills said. "Cpl. Cook followed Bivalacqua eastbound for a short distance, and Bivalacqua ran off the right side of the road, striking a culvert and coming to a stop."

Bivalacqua and his passenger, Hope Hollie, were "ordered out of the vehicle and placed in custody without incident," Mills said.

Hollie, 19, of Columbia Miss., suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken by ambulance to Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter for treatment, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

Bivalacqua was taken to the Dexter Police Department, where he was told of his rights and agreed to speak with Det. Trevor Pulley.

"During the interview, Bivalacqua stated he ran from Cpl. Cook because he had a warrant out of Mississippi," Mills said. "Bivalacqua admitted he purposely ran into Cpl. Cook's patrol car on U.S. (Highway) 60 to prevent arrest."

Pertinent address:

Dexter, MO