ATV riders are arrested

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Around 3:30 p.m. April 10, several calls were received about ATV riders in the area of Mitchell and Pinnell streets driving erratically and speeding.

An officer found a group of riders on Virginia Street near SEMO Drive and initiated a traffic stop, but the riders split up and fled the scene. The officer pursued one for a short distance then when he recognized the driver he terminated the pursuit due to the danger to public.

A short time later, he found the man walking and took him into custody for resisting arrest along with numerous traffic violations.

A second officer found two of the ATVs that had fled the scene traveling west on Pinnell near Main Street. The officer attempted to stop the ATVs but they fled west on Pinnell toward Highway 61. The officer followed them to New Madrid Elementary at speeds over 70 mph, but terminated the pursuit when the ATVs began passing cars on the shoulder.

A New Madrid County deputy found them a short time later near Kewanee. A chase ensued after one of the ATVs slammed into the side of a civilian vehicle pulling out of a parking lot.

Eventually, the riders were taken into custody near Morehouse. All are in jail on charges of resisting arrest and leaving the scene of an accident.