A high-speed chase crossed south-central Missouri early Saturday morning, including Texas County, and involved several agencies, authorities said. A canine was called after the vehicle was abandoned, but the suspect wasn’t found.
The pursuit began just before 7 a.m. in the Mountain Grove area at speeds reaching about 125 miles per hour and continued eastbound on U.S. 60. At one time, strips designed to flatten tires were deployed and were successful on a right front tire of the car, which was believed to be a stolen rental car from Omaha. The chase continued on U.S. 63 and later east on U.S. 60 toward Mountain View. The car was running on a rim.
Once the pursuit entered more populated Mountain View it was terminated because of safety concerns. A dragnet of law enforcement vehicles continued to monitor the area, and the car was later found abandoned.
The occupant of the car fled and was wearing a blue T-shirt. Officers used a canine to track the man. Initially, it was not known why the driver would not stop. Later, the stolen vehicle information was obtained.
A perimeter was established around the Birch Tree area south of Highway 99, but the suspect was not found. Later in the day, a motorcycle was stolen in the West Plains area. It is not known if it is related.