Driver arrested after chase, firing shot at deputy

A man from Pittsburg is in custody after he led police on a chase and fired a gunshot at them. Read the full press release below:

At approximately 9:17 a.m., on Tuesday a Crawford County Deputy Sheriff spotted a white in color, 2006 Chevrolet Silverado on 220th Street, just north of K-171 Highway. The vehicle was previously reported stolen from a residence in Pittsburg sometime between June 11 and June 14. The deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle and 38-year-old William Askew refused to stop. A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated.

Crawford County deputies continued the pursuit into Missouri as the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were being contacted for assistance. A Jasper County Deputy Sheriff deployed stop sticks near Nutmeg and Maple Road, however, Askew performed an evasive maneuver and avoided the device. The pursuit continued. At approximately 9:36 a.m., Askew ran off the road, in the area of Hunter Road and County Road 303, in Jasper County, and exited the vehicle. As a Crawford County Deputy Sheriff began a foot pursuit, Askew fired a single shot.

Additional members of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, including their K9 Unit, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived on scene and negotiations began for the driver’s surrender. After negotiations failed, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office K9 Holli was released. Holli successfully took Askew to the ground and held the driver until officers were able to take him into custody. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.

The investigation is continuing. No law enforcement officers or civilians were injured during the incident.

Askew is facing charges of resisting arrest, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, stealing a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated-persistent offender. He’s being held on no bond.