Busy weekend for LPD

A Licking Police Officer successfully deployed spike strips, deflating two of the tires on a stolen vehicle involved in a pursuit that passed through Licking on Friday afternoon.

At approximately 3:50 p.m. the officer was notified that a vehicle reported stolen from Dent County was being pursued by Dent County deputies toward the City of Licking. After the vehicle encountered the spike strips, it continued westbound on Highway 32, beyond the city limits of Licking, before leaving the roadway and traveling through multiple fences then striking a tree. The suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, between Hartville Road to the east and Van Cleve Drive to the west.

Ground and air searches were conducted for the suspect, a white male, by law enforcement officers from the Dent County and Texas County Sheriffs’ Departments, the Licking Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol Troops I and G. The suspect was not located.

If any residents in the area notice suspicious activity, they are asked to call 911.

On Saturday morning, May 20, the LPD responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from behind a local business on South Main Street.

The vehicle, a red, 1997 Dodge Dakota truck, was taken between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. The truck was bearing Missouri license 3KCF17 at the time of the theft.

The public is asked to call 911 if they locate the vehicle or have any information regarding the theft.

“At this time, the case remains open and all leads are being investigated,” assured Police Chief Pat Burton.

“We highly encourage everyone to always take safety precautions and lock your vehicles and houses,” Burton added.