Missouri Teen Arrested After Multi-County Pursuit and Armed Carjacking Ends in Kentucky
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY — A 19-year-old Missouri man was taken into custody after a multi-county police pursuit that began with an armed carjacking in Illinois and ended with the suspect hiding in a Kentucky barn, authorities said.
According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, the chase started when Ballard County deputies attempted to stop a stolen vehicle from Springfield, Illinois, linked to a carjacking earlier in the week. Deputies said the driver, later identified as William Parker of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, fled at high speed, forcing officers to back off near Highway 286 as he crossed into McCracken County.
High-Speed Chase Across Two Counties
McCracken County deputies later located the stolen vehicle on Blandville Road and attempted another traffic stop. However, Parker allegedly refused to pull over, initiating a second pursuit that quickly escalated.
During the chase, authorities said Parker swerved toward a McCracken County sergeant and a Kentucky State Police trooper, striking a rope attached to a spike strip and injuring the trooper’s hand. Deputies eventually lost sight of the vehicle near mile marker 11 on Interstate 24.
Moments later, a witness reported a crash on Husbands Road near Krebs Station Road. Responding units found the stolen car abandoned and began searching the area with help from the Paducah Police Department.
Suspect Found Hiding in Barn Loft
Authorities located Parker hiding in a barn loft nearby and took him into custody without further incident. He was transported to the McCracken County Jail, where he faces a long list of charges, including:
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Assault (Third Degree) on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Wanton Endangerment (First Degree)
- Trespassing (Third Degree)
- Fleeing or Evading Police (First Degree)
- Criminal Mischief (First Degree)
- Reckless Driving and Speeding
- Improper Passing and Disregarding Traffic Control Device
Additional charges are expected from the Ballard County Sheriff’s Office related to the initial pursuit.
Ongoing Investigation
The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that multiple agencies — including Kentucky State Police and Paducah Police — assisted in the operation. No officers were seriously injured, though the trooper hurt during the spike strip deployment received medical attention for his hand injury.
Officials said the incident highlights the dangers officers face during high-speed pursuits and thanked the public for reporting the crash that led to Parker’s capture.
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