CLARKSVILLE, Mo (KMOX) - A pair of wood-be tree thieves are loose after sending police on a chase that reached speeds of more than 120 mph in rural Missouri. One officer was treated for minor injuries after a patrol car was struck during the pursuit.
The Pike County Missouri Sheriff's Office says Jesse Callaway, 45, of Troy, Mo. and James Merlenbach, 53, of O’Fallon, Mo. are facing charges that include a felony of first-degree assault, felony of resisting arrest/ fleeing, armed criminal action and felony of stealing.
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Police say it began in rural Clarksville when officers found the suspects trying to steal walnut trees from a historic cemetery. The pursuit began there with Callaway, who was driving the Ram pickup truck, attempted to ram the patrol vehicle.
He then led police on a chase, going as fast as 120 mph and eventually escaping the sight of authorities multiple times. His vehicle was eventually found wrecked, nearly 20 miles away from where the pursuit began.
Police did not locate the suspects after a ground search lead by the Lincoln Sheriff’s Office and assisted by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the Highway Patrol and Elsberry Police.
Bond for both suspects has been set at $1,000,000.
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