SEMO News Service
KENNETT, Mo. -- Police are still looking for one of the three robbery suspects who were chased from Kennett to Blytheville and swapped gunfire with local police late Wednesday night.
According to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson, at approximately 10:30 pm Wednesday, the Blytheville Police Department was notified by Missouri law enforcement officials of a high speed vehicle pursuit of robbery suspects, who were headed towards Blytheville.
"According to initial information three individuals robbed a local business in Kennett, Missouri," Thompson said. "During the course of the robbery they shot one or more persons at the business."
Kennett police officers gave pursuit and reported the fleeing suspects shot at them.
Thompson said the suspects were met at the state line by Arkansas State Police and Mississippi County Sheriffs deputies.
"The pursuit continued into Blytheville, where Blytheville Police Department officers joined in," Thompson said. "Blytheville officers reported the suspects fired shots at them while on N. 6th street (Highway 61) between Highland and Hardin Street.
The driver of the fleeing vehicle, who is also a suspect in the robbery, was arrested on scene and identified as a resident of Kennett.
Based on information from a local citizen, Osceola Police were contacted and a short time later they located the vehicle and detained the occupants.
"It was determined that the occupants of the Osceola vehicle had a direct connection to the subject in custody in Blytheville," Thompson said. "The second robbery suspect has been identified as a resident of Osceola. A third suspect remains at large at this time."
"The incident is still under investigation and while we cannot rule out the possibility that the third suspect has ties to Blytheville it is believed that the suspects were en route from Kennett to Osceola when the pursuit ended in Blytheville," the chief continued."
The conditions of the victims in Kennett are not known at this time.
"This was a violent incident. We are thankful no other persons or officers were injured and it showed great cooperation and coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies," Thompson said. "Charges against the suspects for offenses occurring in Arkansas are expected to be filed by the Arkansas State Police."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Blytheville Police Department, Kennett Police Department or Arkansas State Police.