Driver sought after second police pursuit

The suspect in two separate police pursuits may not have had active warrants when the incidents began, but Poplar Bluff police say they are now seeking charges.

Johnnie Ray Braden, 25, is currently wanted by police for fleeing from two attempted traffic stops, first on July 15 and again on July 21. Braden is not believed at this time to be dangerous or armed.

Braden

Both times officers attempted to stop a vehicle that was identified as having the wrong license plates, said Police Chief Danny Whiteley.

Braden has a revoked license, but did not have any active warrants when the pursuits began, he said.

Officers do not currently have any leads on his whereabouts and hope the public can help with information.

Four different agencies were involved in the most recent chase, which topped 80 miles an hour at times and covered more than 40 miles.

Det. Jason Morgan was attempting to stop a vehicle at 10th and Pine streets in Poplar Bluff, when the second pursuit began, Whiteley said.

“(The pursuit) ended in Dunklin County, just west of Kennett,” he said.

The suspect drove down a dead end farm road, and into a drainage ditch, officers reported.

Officers were maintaining a safe distance and were at least 50 yards behind the suspect vehicle when it crashed. It footage of the pursuit posted to the Daily American Republic website, a suspect wearing shorts and no shirt can be seen a distance away from arriving officers, at the top of a 12-foot deep ditch.

The suspect then fled on foot, across a soybean field and into some woods, said Whiteley. Poplar Bluff officers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department and Kennett Police Department were involved in the pursuit.

A passenger in the vehicle was arrested at the scene on unrelated charges and identified Braden, according to officers. Samantha L. Griffin, 26, of St. Louis had a warrant from the city of Arnold for traffic-related charges. She was released on her own recognizance at the direction of the Arnold Police Department, Whiteley said.

The traffic pursuit on July 15 lasted only a short time, Whiteley said. It was terminated because of traffic, weather and safety factors.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Dan Mustain or Det. Any Cleaveland at 573-785-5776.