High speed chase ends in arrest

SIKESTON -- A man is facing a long list of charges after leading local area law enforcement officers on a high speed chase.

Johnny Ray Clark, 22, of Sikeston was arrested on charges of first degree assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, property damage, second degree assault and four counts of forgery. He was also charged with numerous misdemeanor charges and traffic violations.

He is being held in the Scott County Jail where bail is set at $300,000.

The charges stem from an incident that began Thursday afternoon when officers with the Scott County Sheriff's Department and Sikeston Department of Public Safety located a vehicle in the 200 block of Dixie, with license plates that were reported stolen on Wednesday. When the officers approached the suspect, who was outside the residence, he fled in the vehicle and failed to yield to emergency vehicles and resisted arrest.

The officers pursued the vehicle through the streets of Sikeston and into residential Morehouse where Clark took his vehicle through yards and struck a car driven by a Scott County deputy. The car received minor damage. Clark's vehicle also nearly struck a pedestrian and a DPS officer at one point during the chase.

In Morehouse, Clark turned his car around and returned to Sikeston where his vehicle was finally pinned in a vacant lot in the 200 block of Westgate. Trying to escape the blockade, he struck two DPS patrol cars, each sustaining minor damage. Officers were then able to take Clark into custody.

After a search, it was found Clark had stolen the vehicle in Overland Park, Kan., on Nov. 30, 2002. He also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest: a parole violation through Jefferson City, no bond, and for felony burglary of an automobile, felony theft of an automobile and felony criminal damage with bond set at $150,000.

DPS Director Drew Juden extended his thanks to the FBI Special Process Center, Kansas City Probation and Parole, Overland Park, Kan. Police Department, Johnson County, Kan. Sheriff's Department, Scott County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Juden stated he was proud of how all agencies involved worked together and made the arrest.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Sikeston DPS at 471-6200.