On Sunday, October 29, 2017, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Fremont County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office notified the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) that they were in pursuit of numerous cars racing southbound on Interstate 29. While in route to assist Fremont County an Atchison County deputy noticed two vehicles southbound on I-29 at a high rate of speed, near the Watson, Missouri, exit. The deputy followed the vehicles to the 110 exit at Rock Port, Missouri, where they entered into the Trail’s End parking lot area. While attempting to stop one of the vehicles, a black Chevrolet Camaro, the Camaro struck the front of the deputy’s patrol truck. That vehicle and a black Dodge Charger then reentered the interstate northbound as the deputy pursued.
Just north of the northbound weigh scales on I-29, the Camaro pulled over and the driver exited the vehicle and entered as a passenger into the Dodge Charger. That vehicle then went southbound on I-29, as the deputy ensured there were no other occupants in the Camaro.
Some minutes later, the ACSO was notified that a black Dodge Charger was noticed off of the road at the 103 southbound exit on I-29 and that two black males wearing dark colored clothing were running away from it. As it was believed the vehicle’s occupants had crossed over to the outer road, residents in the area were contacted to be aware. Atchison County and Holt County deputies set about establishing a perimeter. At this time a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper, who had stopped at the 103 mile marker, reported he was on a foot pursuit of the two subjects. A few minutes later, that trooper advised that the men had stolen his patrol car and were southbound on I-29.
Some time later, the ACSO was notified the Missouri State Highway Patrol was in pursuit of suspects from the 101 mile marker southbound. The newly stolen suspect vehicle became disabled in Holt County at the southbound 81 mile marker where members of the ACSO and numerous other law enforcement agencies engaged in a foot pursuit. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the suspects were taken into custody in Holt County.
The other stolen vehicles and suspects made it to the St. Joseph area, where law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicles with spikes. One of those vehicles crashed into other vehicles at the intersection of I-29 and Frederick Boulevard. The suspects fled on foot and were later taken into custody near Cracker Barrel. The remaining vehicle fled and the chase entered Platte County, where local agencies assisted with the pursuit. The driver bailed out at Old Pike Road and State Highway 371. Shortly afterward, troopers took the driver into custody. Charges are pending for all suspects.