Manhunt ends with one suspect held at gunpoint by homeowners

On July 4th at approximately 5:30 p.m., the Bates County Sheriff’s Office initiated a vehicle pursuit on US 71 Hwy south of Rich Hill. The vehicle being pursued was a black Chevrolet Pickup truck with three occupants. The vehicle traveled onto county gravel roads with speeds in excess of 90 mph. The vehicle pursuit continued throughout rural Rich Hill and into Vernon County.

During the pursuit one male, identified as Bob T Beisly III age 38, exited the vehicle and ran into a wooded area. The vehicle then continued south with a secondary driver running a vehicle off the road turning the vehicle onto its side in the ditch. The vehicle then continued south almost striking two four wheelers. During the pursuit the vehicle had jumped a bridge becoming airborne and landing in the roadway. The pursuit eventually returned to US71 hwy traveling southbound. The vehicle pulled to the shoulder of the road and two subjects began to run on foot. The driver, identified as Jimmy Joe Crews age 40, was taken into custody after being tackled on the slow lane of US 71. The passenger, identified as Brent D. Morrison age 37, was chased approximately 25 yards into the ditch and taken into custody.

Once the subjects were in custody they identified Bob Beisly III as the subject that ran on the gravel road. Beisly was wanted out of Vernon County for felony assault on a case where he reportedly drove a tractor over a car that was occupied by an adult male and a juvenile. Beisly also has a prior conviction for unlawful use of a firearm as a felon.

A decision was made to consider Mr. Beisly as armed and dangerous. A Nixle alert was sent out to residents to advise them of the pending manhunt in the area asking for residents to be cautious. Approximately 2 hours after the initial pursuit residents began calling advising the Sheriff’s Office that a male subject was approaching them asking to use the phone. At approximately 11:30 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a resident stating that a male had walked up and offered them a $100 for a ride to Vernon County. The residents then held him at gun point until deputies arrived to take him into custody.

All three subjects were arrested and charged with resisting arrest by fleeing in a dangerous pursuit and one subject was charged with Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Additional Charges are expected to be filed in Vernon County. All three subjects remain in the custody of the Bates County Sheriff’s Office on $10,000 cash only bonds.