Linn County deputies involved in chase that ends in Missouri

BUTLER, Mo. – Shortly after midnight on Monday, Feb. 10, Bates County, Mo., dispatch received a request for assistance from the Linn County Kansas Sheriff’s Office concerning a pursuit that was crossing the state line and entering Bates County, according to a Facebook post by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the post, the pursuit began on U.S. Highway 69 and was entering Bates County on Kansas Highway 52.

“Deputies got into position to assist and to attempt to deploy tire deflating devices,” the release said. “Per policy additional staff was called from home to assist in the pursuit. 

“The pursuit continued from the Kansas state line to Butler. During the pursuit the passenger began to throw items like flashlights and canned vegetables. One of the canned vegetables struck a patrol vehicle’s windshield causing it to shatter.

“The pursuit continued with speeds over 100 mph and entered the City of Butler. The vehicle continued through Butler with speeds over 80 mph. At the intersection of Austin and Broadway the vehicle came head on with the Sheriff’s truck.  

“The vehicle attempted to swerve around the patrol truck when the Sheriff initiated a PIT (precision immobilization) maneuver on the vehicle. The vehicle and Sheriff’s truck came to rest in the yard at that intersection.  

The driver, 28-year-old Shelby McGee of Independence, Mo., was taken into custody and so was passenger Chad Thompson, a 30-year-old from Smithville, Mo. Both people had outstanding warrants. 

It turns out the one thing the pair didn’t throw out during the chase were several bags of a “white crystalline substance” that were found when deputies searched the vehicle.

Both McGee and Thompson face multiple felony charges in Bates County.  Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson was treated at the hospital for a hand injury that occurred during the arrest, the post said.

“This was team work with Butler Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. Tonight we stopped a dangerous pursuit and took career criminals off the street,”  said Anderson.