A Poplar Bluff man and a woman are in Butler County jail and six juveniles are in the care of authorities after an alleged assault Thursday on a Butler County firefighter. Drug paraphernalia also was located in the home, authorities reported.
Jeffery Vest, 38, is facing possible charges for alleged third degree assault on a special victim, a Butler County firefighter.
Mandy Bray, 34, of Poplar Bluff was taken into custody on a warrant on a probation violation for burglary/breaking and entering.
Six juveniles ages 6-14, who were at the home along with an unnamed adult at the time of the fire, had to be relocated, said Butler County Deputy Trever Head.
Firefighters were called for assistance at 1:07 p.m. to a mobile home fire at 5012 Nellie Sue Circle. At 1:20 p.m., Butler County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene to assist the fire crew because a male subject allegedly was acting aggressively toward firefighters.
Head said, Bray had left the home just prior to the fire and Vest returned after firefighters arrived.
The deputies were told the male subject, later identified as Vest, had physically assaulted a fire department employee in the performance of his duties and Vest had left the scene before they arrived. Vest allegedly fled the area in a GMC SUV spray painted black.
Around 2:55 p.m., a deputy observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle traveling north on Westwood Boulevard near Highway W.
The deputy stopped the vehicle and learned the driver was Vest. Bray was a passenger in a second vehicle which stopped behind Vest’s vehicle.
“Due to the assault allegations, I asked Vest to exit the vehicle, to which he complied,” the deputy said. “Once outside the vehicle I asked Vest to turn around and place his hands behind his back.”
According to the report, the suspect attempted to resist arrest and did not follow verbal commands. After the deputy gained control, Vest was taken into custody without further incident. Vest and Bray were transported to the jail.
A probable cause statement was completed and will be sent to the prosecuting attorney for review.
The eight county firefighters in three trucks spent three and a half hours at the scene. The home has fire damage to a rear bedroom and smoke with water damage throughout the rest of the house. The state fire marshal is investigating.