PB Police Chase on Hwy 53
Press Release – On 9/30 at approximately 11:26 am employees at Minit Mart convenience store (located in the 3900 block of US Hwy 67) reported a gas drive off involving a white Chrysler mini van.
A few minutes later, Poplar Bluff Animal Control Officer Mark Hastings saw the van driving south on US Business Hwy 67 in Poplar Bluff, and reported its location and direction of travel to the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
At 11:34 am Poplar Bluff Sgt Chuck Harris attempted to execute a traffic stop on the vehicle as it turned south on Hwy 53 from US Business Hwy 67; but the driver accelerated in an effort to escape.
Driver Michael Paul (44 years old, of Mexico Missouri) was taken into custody
After a brief pursuit, the vehicle ran off the road (on County Road 320 at County Road 337) and struck a utility pole.
Driver Michael Paul (44 years old, of Mexico Missouri) was taken into custody without further incident. Front seat passenger Lindsey Ryan (24 years old) was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, and later transferred to St Francois Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.
Lindsey Ryan complained that he repeatedly asked Michael Paul to stop and let him out of the vehicle; but Paul refused.
Michael Paul was booked in at the Poplar Bluff Police Department on an outstanding Audrain County Missouri warrant for Forgery ($1,000.00 cash only bond); and additional charges (stemming from the motor vehicle pursuit and accident) of Felonious Restraint, Assault 2nd degree, Resisting Arrest, and a number of traffic violations.
Chief of Police Danny Whiteley attributed the arrest to clear communication between the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Poplar Bluff Police Department.