Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase in St. Francois County

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A late-night traffic stop attempt in St. Francois County led to a high-speed pursuit and the arrest of a House Springs man early Wednesday morning of last week.

According to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy attempted to pull over a multi-colored Chevrolet S-10 pickup displaying mismatched out-of-state license plates on Rouggly Road at approximately 12:48 a.m. The driver, however, refused to stop and accelerated in an attempt to evade law enforcement. As the vehicle continued westbound toward U.S. Highway 67, a second deputy successfully deployed spike strips, which deflated the truck’s front passenger tire. The chase ended when the suspect lost control and crashed into a ditch on Valley Mines School Road. The driver then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by a St. Francois County K-9 unit without further incident.

Authorities identified the driver as 31-year-old Rickie E. Wells. He was arrested on an active misdemeanor warrant, and additional charges have been submitted to the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, including aggravated fleeing – (Valentine’s Law), possession of a controlled substance and additional traffic offenses.

No injuries were reported during the incident.