News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Sheldon Lyon
816-387-2345
H03073
March 16, 2008

EMPHASIS: Armed Robbery With Shots Fired


On March 15, 2008, at approximately 11:05 p.m. Troop H received information that an armed robbery had just occurred at the HY-VEE gas station in Chillicothe. The gunmen were seen leaving the station northbound on U.S. 65 in a red PT Cruiser.

A trooper on Missouri 190 spotted the PT Cruiser and a pursuit began as the vehicle turned north on Route Y. As the trooper pursued the vehicle, an occupant began to shoot at the trooper. Several shots were fired when the pursuit reached a roadblock with a spike strip deployed. The PT Cruiser ran over the spikes and stopped near the junction of Route Y and Route W. As the trooper exited his patrol car, the driver stepped out of the PT Cruiser and was unresponsive to his command and made a threatening movement. The trooper then fired a single round from his assigned 12-gauge shotgun that convinced the driver to stop. He was arrested without further incident and a female passenger in the vehicle was not detained. However, another passenger escaped and his flight triggered a 12-hour manhunt in northwest Livingston County. Troopers developed information that the suspect had left the immediate area and the manhunt ended.

The driver was identified as David M. Searcy, 22, of Chillicothe, MO. He is charged with two counts of robbery (class A felony), assault (class B felony), armed criminal action (felony), and unlawful use of a weapon (class D felony). David Searcy’s bond has been set at $ 1,000,000.

The passenger, who is still at-large, has been identified as Draper S. Richardson, 26, of Breckenridge, MO. Arrest warrants have been issued for Draper Richardson. He should be considered armed and dangerous and the public should not approach him. The public is asked to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at telephone number 816-387-2345 with information as to the location of Draper Richardson.

The charges for which the individual has been arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

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