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DPS officer shot while pursuing robbery suspects
SIKESTON -- A detective with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety is recovering from a gunshot wound he received as he and other officers tracked down two men wanted for robbery.
Lt. Marc Crocker is recovering from a gunshot wound to his lower right calf, about three inches below the knee. Crocker was shot when he and other officers converged a small red house just off of Highway HH, surrounding two men wanted for robbery. He underwent surgery last night and is expecting to fully recover.
"He has several wires and pins and other medical devices on his leg," said Drew Juden, director of DPS. "He is doing well and his spirits are high and our prayers go out to him and his family."
The series of events began when Troy L. Fenton, 36 of Boonville and his brother, Earnest Fenton, 43, entered Super D Drug Store on North Main Street just after noon and made off with prescription drugs. The brothers are well-known criminals in central Missouri.
"We have several armed robbery warrants on Troy Fenton and he was running from the law in that area," said Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell. "Both of these men have extensive records from armed robbery to terrorist acts, kidnapping, tampering with motor vehicles and are very well-known in the area."
Earnest Fenton was just recently released from a penitentiary where he had spent the last seven years on several armed robbery charges. Ferrell said that Troy Fenton gave a statement to him that he had indeed shot Crocker and a 9 mm handgun was recovered at the scene where Fenton said officers could find the weapon.
The men were in the area because of they were on the run.
"The heat was on them where they were from and they just happened to end up here," Ferrell said. "It is one of the unfortunate things the interstate brings to us."
When the men were arrested, a handcuff key and razor blades were found hidden in the jean pockets of one of the brothers. They were also found with numerous drugs believed to have been taken from Super D, drugs that included oxycontin and Ritalin.
Both men are charged with Class A felony robbery, felony of armed criminal action, Class C felony of burglary, felony of armed criminal action and Class B felony of possession of a controlled substance. They are currently being held on no bond and additional arson charges may be filed.
A citizen call to DPS during the robbery at Super D gave the description of the vehicle along with the license number and helped officers apprehend the men.
Juden said they don't know who made the call, however, they are trying to track that information down.
"We would like to thank them," Juden said. "These guys were a tremendous threat to law enforcement and the public."
At 12:05 p.m., officers arrived at Super D, however the suspects had fled the area. Officers with the Scott County Sheriff's Department, Miner Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were notified and began to cordon off the surrounding area.
Approximately five minutes later, Crocker, responding from his residence, saw the vehicle and began pursuit and all agencies were dispatched to the area on the north side of Sikeston. A short time later, suspects knocked a gate open at a residence at 106 Little and drove to the back of the house. They then broke through the back door, entering the residence and officers surrounded the house.
Shortly after officers surrounded the residence, the suspects opened fire on officers, hitting Crocker in the leg. Juden said nine shots were fired at officers. Officers fired only one round at the suspects, in fear that they may have a hostage.
The standoff continued for only a few minutes before the house started smoking. A short time later, suspects crawled out of the house and were placed under arrest. It is believed the brothers started the fire while inside the home. The fire is being investigated by the Missouri Fire Marshall.
Todd Newman, who lives in the residence, was not at home when the Fenton's broke in.
"The person who lives in the home is a cerebral palsy victim," Ferrell said. "We were extremely lucky he wasn't home."
Both Juden and Ferrell were quick to credit the way local law enforcement officers worked together to apprehend the Fenton's.
"I just want to commend my officers of a flawless performance," Juden said. "It couldn't have gone any better."