A Poplar Bluff man, who is a previously-convicted felon, sits in the Butler County jail facing multiple charges after he led police on a vehicle pursuit early Monday morning and crashed a vehicle into a home.
According to a news release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Patrolman Matt Kassing came across 36-year-old Richard Matthew Trice while he was seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle on McKinley Street.
Trice, who had outstanding warrants, was instructed to place his hands on the steering wheel but instead attempted to flee.
A vehicle pursuit ensued, with Trice allegedly violating multiple traffic regulations.
Trice reportedly exited the moving vehicle in the 2000 block of Tennessee Street, and the unoccupied vehicle crashed into a nearby home. No injuries were reported.
Officers tracked Trice to a residence in the 2000 block of Arkansas Street, and after Detective Joey Woodruff obtained a search warrant, he was found inside and taken into custody without incident.
Kassing reportedly found suspected crystal methamphetamine on Trice during his arrest.
Woodruff also obtained a search warrant for the vehicle driven by Trice, and a search yielded two firearms, including one with the serial number defaced.
As a previously-convicted felon, Trice is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Following his arrest, Trice was booked at the Butler County jail. He is charged with traffic offenses, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a defaced firearm.
He also is being held on a previous arrest warrant, which stemmed from a parole violation.
Police Chief Danny Whiteley was grateful for his officers’ “very proactive and professional work” in arresting Trice without any injuries to anyone.