Patrol Aircraft Assists With Vehicle Pursuit Of Assault Suspects

On Saturday afternoon (March 23), the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol to request assistance with a vehicle pursuit.

The occupants of the vehicle were reportedly wanted for 2nd Degree Assault.

The MSHP says the pursuit traveled on Interstate 70 eastbound from the 170-mile marker. The vehicle exited at Missouri Highway 19 and re-entered I-70 westbound. At that time, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department received reports of the passenger brandishing a firearm and the suspect vehicle was reportedly attempting to run other vehicles off the roadway.

Patrol aircraft 93MP responded to the area to assist. According to a press release from the Highway Patrol, the aircraft began tracking the vehicle on I-70 at the 143-mile marker, allowing ground vehicles to reduce speed and follow at a safe distance.

Near the 121-mile marker, the vehicle struck spikes deployed by a trooper. However, the vehicle regained control and continued westbound. The pursuit then traveled into the Patrol's Troop A area, where officers responded eastbound and deployed spikes east of Highway J in Saline County.

The vehicle struck the spikes and exited onto northbound Hwy J, before coming to a stop. Two occupants were taken into custody without further incident. The subjects were taken back to Montgomery County and released into the custody of deputies. The name of the suspects were not available in the report.