Many people in Missouri are unsure how to react when approached by an authority figure, regardless of the reason for the interaction. In some cases, some people may react by trying to avoid an encounter. Unfortunately, a man, who was apparently a suspect in a sexual assault case, has now been arrested for resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child.
Although police say that the 37-year-old man being investigated as part of a sexual assault case involving a child, it is unclear exactly what prompted police to approach the man while he was driving at approximately 4 p.m. on a recent Friday. Police say that the man began speeding and driving erratically when they approached. When they attempted to pull the man over, officers claim that he fled the scene, prompting a pursuit.
Officers claim that the pursuit was called off when they lost sight of the man. However, he was spotted again the next morning shortly before 8 a.m. At that point, he is said to have abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. He was apprehended and now faces charges related to resisting arrest and endangering children. Reports note that there were three children in the vehicle the man abandoned.
Although police say that the man came to their attention as part of a sexual assault case, the specific details were not reported. He has been accused of endangering the welfare of a child (four felony counts) as well as resisting arrest. Often, people in Missouri who are accused of crimes feel overwhelmed as they face the criminal justice system. Fortunately, an experienced defense attorney can help the man fully understand all the charges against him and advise him of his options, including how to respond as part of the investigation into the assault allegations that that may be ongoing.
Source: stltoday.com, “Police arrest sexual assault suspect who led police on multi-county pursuit“, Nassim Benchaabane, June 3, 2017