High-speed chase ends in New Madrid County

STEELE, Mo. - A high-speed pursuit through two counties ended with the arrest of a Florissant man.

James William Graham Jr., 29, is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges of second degree assault and resisting arrest by fleeing creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death, according to online court records. He is being held in the Pemiscot County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield reported that on Feb. 20, officers responded to a disturbance call at the Deerfield Travel Center where they observed a vehicle fleeing the scene. The suspect vehicle then struck the patrol car.

"Steele Police then pursued the vehicle; the driver of the suspect car was refusing to pull over for police," Stanfield said in a news release. "The suspect vehicle traveled north on Interstate 55, exceeding speeds of 100 mph."

When in New Madrid County, stop sticks were deployed by law enforcement which disabled the suspect's car. Graham was then taken into custody without any further incident.

Deputies with the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, Hayti Police, New Madrid Sheriff's Department, Portageville Police, Caruthersville Police and Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the vehicle pursuit.

Additional charges are currently pending, Stanfield added.