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| Brant |
On 04/07/2025 at approximately 12:57am, a Butler Officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 1997 Ford Ranger in the area of Fort Scott and Fran. The vehicle initially pulled over but when the Officer began to exit his patrol vehicle, the Ford Ranger fled North on I-49 at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued North on I-49 and while in pursuit, the Officer observed items being thrown from the passenger side of the vehicle. The pursuit came to an end on I-49 just north of Adrian when the suspect’s vehicle became disabled.  |
| Leahy |
At this time, assistance from the Adrian Police Department and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office had arrived. While taking the driver, later identified as Ronnie Brant into custody, Brant continued to resist resulting in the Butler Officer breaking a bone in his hand and an abrasion on his other hand. The passenger was identified as Martin Leahy and was taken into custody without incident. A K-9 from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office then assisted with locating the items that the Butler Officer observed thrown from the vehicle. Those items later field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Bothe Leahy and Brant were transported to the Bates County Jail.
Brant received the following charges:
Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention -Causes Physical Injury
Assault 2nd Degree - Special Victim
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution
Brant’s bond has been set at $64,500 Cash or Surety
Leahy received the following charges:
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution
Leahy’s bond has been set at $14,500 Cash or Surety
The Butler Police Department would like to thank the Bates County Sheriff's Office and the Adrian Police Department for their assistance and quick response.
