Monday, May 13, 2013

Update on Police Chase in Southern Bates County

Jonathon S. Howard

On 5/9/2013 Deputies were dispatched to Rich Hill to assist the Rich Hill Police Department in a vehicle pursuit.  The pursuit by Rich Hill PD was terminated.  A few minutes later the vehicle was seen by a Bates County Deputy and he attempted to stop the vehicle.  The vehicle again took off from the Deputy.  The pursuit took the Deputy West of Rich Hill and lasted approximately 45 minutes.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit and was able to spike the vehicle on V Highway.  The vehicle then turned into a private driveway where it crashed into the wooded area behind a residence. 

The driver identified as Jonathon S. Howard, 2/24/87, ran into the woods sparking a multi- agency search of the area.   After approximately two hours of searching the search was called off.  On 5/10/13, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported that the subject may have been at a house on the north end of their county.  Deputies from Bates and Vernon County Sheriff’s Offices converged on the residence of Brent Morrison, a known associate of Howard.  Howard was taken into custody at the residence.  A search of the residence revealed possible stolen items and weapons.  Morrison was then a located at a secondary location and arrested by Vernon County Sheriff’s Office for outstanding warrants and possible new charges. 

Howard was transported to the Bates County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Arrest by Fleeing with bond set at $7500.00 Cash or Surety.  It was later determined that Howard had recently been released from the Missouri Department of Corrections.  

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