On November 18th, 2021 at approximately 1450hrs. Deputies with the Barton County Sheriff's Office were notified of a pursuit coming from Jasper County on Highway 43. Deputies were advised the driver was possibly intoxicated by drugs and were believed to be in possession of illegal narcotics. Deputies responded to the area and observed the pursuit go west on Highway 160.
The Deputy turned around and proceeded to catch up to the vehicle and it wasn't until the city limits of Liberal, Mo that a Barton County Deputy was able to take lead. The Deputy continued to keep his lights and siren activated through the school zone as the vehicle reached speeds of 100mph. Before the pursuit entered the City of Liberal, the schools were notified to go on lockdown.
The pursuit went east to 43 Highway where the vehicle crossed on to NW 40th Rd. This particular road dead ends at a residence. Deputies attempted to block the vehicle's path so that they would not enter the roadway again. The vehicle then struck a patrol car and the Deputy attempted to disable the vehicle at that point utilizing his vehicle. Deputies feared that the suspect would place more lives endanger if he were able to get back on the road again. The suspect was able to regain control of the vehicle and travel west back towards Liberal, Mo reaching speeds of 130mph. Deputies pursued the vehicle throughout rural Barton County in to Vernon County. Vernon County was contacted and advised the pursuit had entered their county. The suspect traveled north on a rural county road within Vernon County that dead ended at a residence. Once the suspect realized there was no where to go and no way out, the suspect then exited his vehicle and fled from Deputies on foot.
A Barton County K9 Deputy was also in the pursuit and deployed their K9 at the time the driver ran on foot. Approximately 100yards from the car the suspect could be seen running in to a field. At this time the Sheriff's Office K9 was closing in on the suspect. When announcements were made by the K9 Deputy and the suspect seen the K9 coming, the suspect quickly stopped and got on his knees with his hands up. The K9 Deputy then recalled his K9 back and another Deputy was able to take the suspect in to custody without incident. Vernon County Deputies arrived on scene and assisted in processing the vehicle. A search of the car yielded narcotics and narcotic equipment. There was also a female passenger in the vehicle at the time of the pursuit that has not been charged at this time. The male suspect was arrested and identified as Shane Purdham. It was learned that Purdham had a full U.S. Extradition warrant for a probation violation and had a second warrant for assault both of which were felony warrants. Vernon County transported Purdham to the Vernon County Jail where he is currently being housed on his warrants.
Shane Purdham has been formally charged by the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney for the following charges:
1. RESIST ARREST/DETENTION/STOP BY FLEEING - CREATE SBSTNTL
RISK-SERIOUS INJ/DEATH F/E
2. ASSAULT 1ST DEGREE OR ATTEMPT - SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY
OR SPECIAL VICTIM F/A
3. ENDANGER CHILD WELFARE - CREATE SUBSTANTIAL RISK - 1ST
DEG - NO SEXUAL CONDUCT F/D
4. POSSESS CONTROL SUBSTANCE EXCEPT 35 GRAMS OR LESS
MARIJUANA/SYNTHETIC CANNABINOD F/D
5. PROPERTY DAMAGE 1ST DEGREE F/E
Bond set at $100,000 Cash or Surety
Agencies involved: Webb City Police Department, Oronogo Police Department, Barton County Sheriff's Office, Vernon County Sheriff's Office, Vernon County Ambulance District, Vernon County Communications (Dispatch).
