JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — Two teen boys are in custody and police believe two girls are on the run Wednesday after a police pursuit with reported shots fired ended in Jefferson County.
According to police, the multi-jurisdictional pursuit began just after 5 a.m. when armed burglary suspects got away from the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department in southeast Missouri in a 2018 Volkswagen. The car was reported stolen from O'Fallon, Missouri, and was wanted out of St. Louis city for an attempted homicide investigation.
The pursuit continued northbound on Interstate 55 into Arnold and past the Church Road overpass, where both Crystal City and Arnold police departments deployed spike strips. The car was disabled, struck the guardrail and came to a stop on the exit ramp to Highway 141.
Police said multiple people ran from the car. At around 6:23 a.m., a 15-year-old boy was found in the nearby woods with help from Jefferson County deputies and he was taken into custody. He is from St. Louis, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department spokesperson.
Two guns, suspected narcotics and several suspected stolen items were found in the car.
A 16-year-old was arrested a little before 10 a.m. when he walked into a business in the Water Tower Shopping Center asking to use a phone. Police said he is believed to be one of the people who ran from the vehicle. He is in custody at the Arnold Police Department, which is working with the Jefferson County Juvenile Office and surrounding agencies on the case.
Shortly after 9 a.m., two girls were reportedly picked up by another car in the area of Christy Drive and left the scene. Police are still working to identify them.
According to Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak, it was reported that shots were fired during the pursuit. It's unclear who fired the shots.
There was a large police presence in the area of the crash Wednesday morning as they searched for what they believe to be two girls who are still on the run. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said it did not participate in the chase but was involved in the suspect search. Officers had a drone up to help in the search but had to ground it due to weather. K-9 officers also helped on the ground.
It was unclear if anyone was injured in the crash. Police did not report any injuries to officers.
The Arnold Police Department is handling the investigation.
No charges are expected in Jefferson County. Prosecutors in Cape Girardeau are expected to handle any potential charges.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information is confirmed.