NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Sergeant Brent J. Bernhardt

(660) 385-2132

B06024

February 23, 2006



EMPHASIS: Kirksville Resident Arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Resisting Arrest and Drug Charges





At approximately 7:00 p.m., on February 22, 2006, the Adair County Sheriff’s Department informed Troop B Headquarters in Macon, that they were investigating an incident near Millard, Missouri, where a white male had stolen a gray Plymouth Voyager van by force. From information gained by Adair County authorities, it was believed that the suspect might be en route to the Randolph County area. A few hours later, the stolen Plymouth van was located by a Monroe County Deputy Sheriff, abandoned on U.S. 24, west of Madison, Missouri.



As the Missouri State Highway Patrol was responding to assist the Monroe County Deputy, a trooper observed a white male subject matching the description of the suspect walking westbound on U.S. 24, a short distance from the abandoned stolen vehicle. As the trooper attempted to take the individual into custody, the suspect resisted arrest and fled on foot. As officers were searching the area, information was obtained that the individual was possibly en route to a residence on Cleveland Avenue, in Moberly. Officers from the Moberly Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the residence where the subject was located and resisted arrest and fled on foot.



At approximately 2:25 a.m., on February 23, 2006, a Moberly Police Department Canine Unit was called to the scene and was able to track the suspect to the 800 block of McKinley Street, where officers were able to take the suspect, Dewey P. Potter, 35, of Kirksville, Missouri, into custody. Potter was arrested for two counts of felony resisting arrest, felony possession of methamphetamine, and felony possession of a stolen vehicle. Potter will also be facing additional charges in Adair and Monroe Counties. Potter is currently being held in the Randolph County Jail on $55,000 bond.



The charges for which Potter was 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.