A Bloomfield man is facing multiple charges after a high speed pursuit and alleged burglary.
Detective Garry Brady II with the Stoddard County Sheriff's department said in a probable cause statement that a 911 call came into the Sheriff’s office February 22 at 4:25 p.m.
Brady said deputies were dispatched to the area of County Road 717 where a homeowner was following a suspect later identified as Randy David Burkman, 35 of Bloomfield, who had allegedly broken into the caller’s home.
“The dispatcher was giving us the directions the suspect was traveling. I activated my emergency equipment and responded to the area,” said Brady. “I was told they were on State Highway D going toward State Highway 153 at a high rate of speed.”
Brady said he advised dispatch to have the homeowner flash his lights when he saw the emergency lights to let the deputy know which vehicle the caller was driving.
Upon seeing the homeowner flash his lights, Brady stopped his vehicle and got out with his emergency equipment still on. Brady said a white Ford F350 approached his vehicle and did not slow down. Brady said he drew his service weapon, and the vehicle passed him as his rate of speed increased. Brady saw the driver, Burkman, lean over toward the passenger side as he passed within a few feet of Brady.
“I re-entered my patrol vehicle and activated a pursuit with the truck,” Brady stated in the affidavit. “The truck did not stop at the stop sign located at State Highway 114 and State Highway 153. The truck continued to travel northbound and crossed US Highway 60 at speeds around 60-80 mph,” said Brady.
”The truck lost several items, including its spare tire, that landed in the roadway, and a tote that hit the ground and busted open, with the contents going into the ditch. The truck continued to travel north on State Highway N at speeds over l00 mph. We met three vehicles on the two-lane road.”
Brady said as the pursuit continued west on County Road 539, more items were lost from the bed of the truck. As the pursuit turned east onto State Highway E, Sergeant Jim Cooksey with the Missouri Highway Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle.
“Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jim Cooksey was positioned on State Highway E with his emergency equipment on, in an attempt to stop the truck,” said Brady. “The truck went around Sgt. Cooksey's vehicle, and he took lead of the pursuit. The truck crossed State Highway N onto County Road 544, without stopping at the stop sign.”
Brady said the truck then entered a field road at the intersection of County Road County Roads 581 and 540. The truck traveled north in the muddy field and became stuck.
Brady said he and Cooksey then exited their vehicles and ordered Burkman to exit his vehicle. Brady then went to the passenger side of the vehicle with his service weapon drawn and opened the door, instructing Burkman to exit the vehicle. Brady said Burkman yelled, “No,” and proceeded to throw items at Brady, including a soda can, and the truck accelerated. Brady said Burkman swung his right hand at him and yelled “No” again. Brady said during the altercation, something struck him on the right knuckles.
When Burkman was able to gain traction and take off again, Brady reportedly discharged his weapon into the rear passenger tires in an attempt to disable the vehicle before the suspect caused physical harm or death to a human being.
The pursuit continued north before turning back south on the field road. The truck ran off into the field and was spinning, Brady said. Brady and Cooksey both exited their vehicle again with their service weapons drawn and ordered Burkman out of the vehicle. Brady said he informed Cooksey of the previous altercation.
“He turned his tires toward our patrol vehicles, and us, while accelerating the truck. The truck was able to get traction while gaining speed.
“The driver positioned his tires toward us,” said Brady. “This occurred for several minutes until Deputy Mike Vinson arrived to assist. I tried to open the driver's door, but it was locked. I used Deputy Vinson's ASP and struck the driver's window several times in an attempt to gain entry into the truck.”
Brady said when he would attempt to break the window, Burkman would use his hand/arm to push out against the window, causing Brady to hit his arm. Burkman then moved his arm and put his leg againt the window.
“This occurred while he was facing his tires toward us and our patrol vehicles while accelerating the truck,” Brady’s affidavit continues.
“The RMP's of motor sounded like it was at full throttle during these times. Several times the truck would start up the embankment, then would slide down in the field. We positioned our patrol vehicle several times to protect ourselves and to keep him from escaping to put any citizens in danger. I instructed Deputy Vinson to deploy OC into the broken window of the truck. Randy (Burkman) yelled at us, but he still did not stop the truck. Sgt. Cooksey put on gloves and was able to partially pull down the driver's window.”
More deputies arrived to assist, and Burkman continued to drive toward the officers. Brady said they had to move for their safety.
One of the deputies then discharged a shotgun into the passenger side fender in an attempt to disable the truck's engine. The truck then continued west, then back south on the field road toward County Roads 581 and 540 then again back into the field.
Brady said deputies exited their patrol vehicles and again ordered Burkman out of the truck. He ordered a deputy to deploy OC into the truck, striking Burkman as he was accelerating. Brady said Burkman did not comply, and he ordered a taser to be deployed. Burkman then laid across the console and passenger side of the truck.
As the officer reached in to get the keys, Burkman kicked at him and the gear shifter. A taser was deployed a second time, and at this point, Burkman complied and came out of the vehicle. After a brief struggle, he was taken into custody.
Lumber reportedly stolen from the homeowner's residence was found in the bed of Burkman’s truck. A tote, wallet, checks and numerous amounts of jewelry, also belonging to the homeowner, were located on Highway N. Brady said the items had a value of over $750.
Brady explained that a second call came into the department, reporting the theft of a Dewalt Planer and a handmade wooden hutch. A new Dewalt Planner and a wooden hutch were located in the back of Burkman’s truck. The owner identified them as his.
Burkman was charged with burglary- 2nd degree, two counts of resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing/ stealing, assault-3rd degree special victim and six counts of assault-4th degree-special victims. He is being held at the Stoddard County Jail with no bond.