Car Chase Suspect Tries a Getaway on Foot. Then Good Guy With a Gun Shows up and Changes Everything.
Police had their hands full when a speeding incident turned into a full-on chase involving Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, Joplin police, and a Newton County Sheriff’s deputy.
The vehicle chase ended when the driver of the car in question failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a fence at Faith Tabernacle Church in Joplin after 9 a.m. May 27, KZRG-AM reported.
The driver — 35-year-old Eric Hillstead of Diamond — remained in the car after the crash, the station said. But his passenger — 41-year-old Lenny Turner of Joplin — fled the scene on foot, KZRG said. . .
The citizen blocked Turner’s path, chased him and knocked him to the ground, the station said, adding that the citizen detained Turner until backup units arrived and took the suspect into custody.
And it turns out the citizen had a “personal firearm” on hand, KZRG noted, citing authorities — yet another good guy with a gun. (Read more from “Car Chase Suspect Tries a Getaway on Foot. Then Good Guy With a Gun Shows up and Changes Everything.” HERE)
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