PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — A 45-minute vehicle pursuit resulted in a crash and the arrest of a Morehouse, Missouri, man Tuesday in Portageville.
According to Portageville Police Chief Ronnie Adams, at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Portageville Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for speed violation. Once the officer activated the emergency lights and siren, the suspect vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a vehicle pursuit began east on Missouri 162 from U. S. Highway 61.
Officers with the Portageville Police Department, New Madrid and Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Departments along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in pursuit.
“The suspect turned south on the levee. An officer blocked the roadway with his vehicle and attempted to deploy spike strips. The suspect swerved, almost striking the officer,” Adams said in a news release.
After approximately a 45-minute pursuit, the suspect vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crashed on State Highway M and New Madrid County Road 431, Adams said.
The suspect then fled on foot. After a short foot chase, a Portageville officer attempted to take the suspect in to custody. The suspect attempted to assault the officer and a taser was deployed.
Officers arrested 35-year-old Robert Michael Chambers of Morehouse. New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson charged Chambers with assault first-degree or attempt-serious physical injury or special victim, armed criminal Action, resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing-creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death to any person and resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony.
Chambers is being held without bond in the Mississippi County Jail.