Webb City police chase suspects identified, charged

Two suspects who were arrested for leading Webb City Police on a chase Friday afternoon have been identified. Read the full press release below:

On Fri, Feb 18th, at 16:30 hours, officers with the Webb City Police Department were called to the area of Rangeline north of Zora in reference to a stolen vehicle out of Joplin.

The owners of the vehicle were following the stolen vehicle northbound on Rangeline.

Officers were able to get behind the vehicle and when the officers tried to stop the stolen vehicle, the vehicle fled from officers.

The vehicle eventually became disabled on the railroad tracks between 4th & 5th Streets and Grand & Murphy in Joplin.

The driver, 26-year old William S. Thomas from Neosho has been charged with Tampering with a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest by Fleeing.

The occupant, 35-year old Derek P. Smith from Carterville,  has also been charged with Tampering with a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest by Fleeing.

Both were transported to the Joplin Police Department.