PERRYVILLE – Monday, July 20, at approximately 12:32 p.m. Perryville police officers were dispatched to Bening Ford located at 909 S. Perryville Blvd. for a subject that stole a car from the lot.
The 39-year-old male who was later arrested and identified as Shane Omar James of Lesterville, Mo. apparently walked onto the car lot and located a 2024 Ford Mustang with the keys in the vehicle. Witnesses stated the male entered the vehicle, and upon starting it, took off south towards Interstate 55.
However, three minutes later Perryville police officers located the Mustang on W. St. Joseph St. near Pine St. and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. James refused to stop and attempted to elude officers. Beginning a pursuit through the downtown square, south on Main St. towards city limits and then ended up abruptly turning into the Perry County School District No. 32 campus.
The school went on a brief lockdown while officers attempted to get James to stop the vehicle. While he was attempting to get away, James almost struck a school district employee. Shortly after that, James came to a stop and complied with officers.
From the time of theft to the conclusion of the pursuit and the arrest of James was approximately eight minutes. James was taken to the Perry County Joint Justice Center.
He is being held on pending charges of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, Assault 1st Degree, Burglary, Property Damage 1st and Unlawful Entry of a Motor Vehicle.
Chief Dustin Miller stated “I am proud of the quick response and teamwork by our officers today to bring this case to a swift and safe end. I would also like to thank the Deputies of the Perry County Sheriff’s Department for their help in ending this pursuit and assisting with taking James into custody.”