Updated: Chase leads through Texas County on Saturday; suspect sought

A high-speed chase traversed southern Missouri, including Texas County, early Saturday morning and involved multiple agencies, authorities said. After the vehicle was abandoned, a sniffer dog was called, but the suspect could not be found.

The pursuit began shortly before 7 a.m. in the Mountain Grove area at speeds of approximately 125 mph and continued east on US 60. At one point, tire strips were deployed to flatten tires, which were successful on a right front tire of the car, believed to be a stolen rental car from Omaha. The pursuit continued on US 63 and later east on US 60 toward Mountain View. The car was traveling on a rim.

When the pursuit reached the more populated Mountain View, it was called off for safety reasons. A network of police vehicles continued to monitor the area and the car was later found abandoned.

The occupant of the car fled and was wearing a blue T-shirt. The officers used a sniffer dog to track the man. It was initially unclear why the driver did not stop. Information about the stolen vehicle was later obtained.

A cordon was set up around the Birch Tree area south of Highway 99, but the suspect was not found. Later that same day, a motorcycle was stolen in the West Plains area. It is unknown if it is related.