Shots hit Foley Street house, vehicles

Authorities suspect multiple rounds fired from a passing vehicle struck a Foley Street home and two vehicles Monday night.

“The initial call was around 10:30 (p.m.); it was a report of shots fired in the Foley Street area,” explained Poplar Bluff Police Lt. Josh Stewart.

The responding officer, Stewart said, was speaking with a subject, who reported hearing the shots, when additional shots were fired.

Stewart said the officer reported hearing between five and seven shots.

The officer, Stewart said, responded south of his location and saw a vehicle “traveling southbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed. (The officer) attempted to conduct a traffic stop, and the vehicle failed to stop.”

After a short pursuit, Stewart said, the vehicle, which was found to be operated by Dominique L. Jones, stopped, and three black male passengers “bailed on foot, and the driver was taken into custody.”

Jones, 29, of the 2500 block of National Avenue was arrested at 11:38 p.m. on suspicion of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and driving while revoked/suspended.

The other subjects reportedly had not been located.

During the ensuing investigation, Stewart said, officers found four rounds had struck a Foley Street home and two vehicles parked in front of the residence also were hit by gunfire.

Officers contacted the home’s occupant, but Stewart was unsure if the man was home at the time the shooting occurred. Not injuries were reported.

Stewart said officers found six shell casings in the 800 block of Foley Street.

There was an estimated “25 feet between each of the shell casings (traveling) toward Main Street,” Stewart said.

A shell casing, Stewart said, also was seen in the floor board of Jones’ vehicle. It was secured pending the application and execution of a search warrant.

Jones, Stewart said, reported he was blocks away from Foley Street when the shots were fired, and the three subjects had gotten into his vehicle a short time before the officer attempted to stop him.

“We don’t believe his version,” Stewart said. “ … There’s definitely potential he was involved in the shooting, but we are still investigating.”

At this time, Stewart said, officers don’t believe Monday night’s incident is tied to the last week’s shootings reported at Bacon Park or on Wallace Street.