Police catch fleeing suspect, who says he’ll do it again

A man who allegedly ran from police Saturday is reported to have warned officers after he was caught, it will happen again.

Police say Craig Allen Randolph, 27, of Poplar Bluff was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Aug. 10 in the 100 block of South Riverview on suspicion of possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest. He was booked at Butler County jail.

According to a police report, an officer observed Randolph walking with a backpack and a five gallon can of fuel near Second and Oak streets. When the officer attempted to speak with the man, Randolph allegedly fled on foot toward Pine Street, dropping the fuel can and losing a shoe.

The officer reported Randolph later dropped a backpack over the railing of the Pine Street bridge and continued east toward Riverview.

Additional officers were called to the scene and say they came into contact with Randolph again near Bartlett and Riverview streets.

According to police reports, Randolph was captured in the 100 block of South Riverview, where officers returned his shoe and told him “you can’t outrun” us.

Randolph allegedly responded, “it wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last time he runs,” according to the report.

Police say the backpack retrieved from the railroad tracks contained bolt cutters, pliers, a machete and other tools.