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Two nabbed following vehicle, foot pursuit that ended in a corn field
SIKESTON — Two Sikeston men were charged for their alleged involvement in a vehicle and foot pursuit with local law enforcement that ended with their arrest in a corn field.
Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers were notified of a vehicle in town occupied by two males who both had outstanding felony criminal arrest warrants, according to Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer for DPS. The vehicle was driven by Gary Allen Looney, 52, of Sikeston, and his passenger was James Albert Swann, 46, of Sikeston.
Officers located the vehicle on South Main (U.S. 61) and attempted to make a vehicle stop to apprehend both suspects when the driver, Looney, failed to yield to officers and led them on a vehicle pursuit, Rowe said.
The vehicle pursuit started on South Main near Hennings Drive and then continued onto U.S. Highway 60 westbound into New Madrid County, Rowe said.
“The pursuit traveled south on New Madrid County Roads where Looney stopped the vehicle on a field road between two corn fields,” Rowe said. “Both Gary Looney and James Swann fled from the vehicle attempting to further evade capture by Sikeston DPS officers.”
Sikeston DPS Canine Odin and his handler responded to the area in order to track the subjects.
“Swann was abruptly taken into custody before entering the corn field by Sikeston DPS officers,” Rowe said. “K-9 Odin’s handler deployed him from their vehicle and successfully tracked Looney for approximately 300 yards into the corn field, taking Looney into custody without incident.”
Looney is currently being held for several outstanding warrants through Mississippi County, Perry County and Scott County. Swann is currently being held for several outstanding warrants through Cape Girardeau County and Scott County.
Looney's new charges include two counts of stealing a vehicle, resisting arrest and tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution, possession of a controlled substance.
Swann's new charges include a seatbelt violation, forgery and traffic offense.
“Sikeston DPS would like to thank New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, New Madrid County Ambulance and Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance,” Rowe said. “Sikeston DPS appreciates the hard work from our officers, especially K-9 Odin and his handler. Due to their specialized training and hard work, we were able to apprehend both subjects.