Charges filed against suspect who rammed police in pursuit that ended near Notre Dame

Bob Miller ~ bmiller@semissourian.com

A Cape Girardeau man broke into a vehicle Tuesday, July 2, and stole keys and other items before stealing an SUV and leading police officers on a chase that approached 90 miles per hour, starting from near Capaha Park toward Notre Dame Regional High School on Route K. During the pursuit, the suspect intentionally struck at least three police vehicles, causing traffic tie-ups Wednesday morning.

That’s all according to probable cause documents relating to several charges against Emanuel Crespo, 27. Crespo is charged with four counts of second-degree assault, Class B felonies; two counts of armed criminal action; and resisting a lawful stop, a Class E felony.

The pursuit ended on Route K after law enforcement deployed spike strips that flattened Crespo’s tires.

According to one of the probable cause statements issued by police, Crespo swerved a stolen vehicle, a black Buick Enclave, into Lt. Brad Smith’s patrol vehicle in an attempt to run Smith off the roadway. He then blew through multiple red stoplights. Crespo then rammed his vehicle into the passenger side of K9 officer Scott Droddy’s patrol vehicle, causing him to veer off the roadway into the grass off of Route K. Crespo then rammed the stolen vehicle into Lt. Joseph Hann’s vehicle, causing serious damage. Crespo then tried to flee on foot before being physically apprehended by officers.

The pursuit lasted approximately 24 miles and reached speeds up to 90 mph.

Crespo is accused of throwing a brick into a white SUV at Capaha Park and stealing items out of the vehicle, including a set of keys and some clothing. It is presumed that when the key fob did not start that vehicle, a white Subaru, Crespo moved on, and then left the area in the black Buick Enclave that led the pursuit. Crespo faces charges of first-degree property damage, a Class D felony; and stealing, a Class D misdemeanor, relating to the items he took from the Subaru in addition to the charges relating to the pursuit. Police collected the stolen keys and clothing, and returned the keys to the vehicle’s owner. Crespo also faces charges of tampering with a vehicle relating to the black SUV.

While driving the black vehicle, officers with the SEMO Department of Public Safety attempted to pull Crespo over near Capaha Park, but he didn’t stop. Soon after, Cape Girardeau police joined the pursuit.

Crespo is being held without bond.

In 2014, Crespo was charged and convicted in a robbery at the age of 17. He was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.