Friday attempted traffic stop in Parsons leads to chase, arrest

On Friday just before 9 a.m. Parsons Police say a gray minivan fled from an officer during an attempted traffic stop.

Parsons Police Officer Mark Raney had prior knowledge that this vehicle was wanted in connection
with an Aggravated Assault that occurred on July 5th.  and that the vehicle had an illegal registration
plate. In that case, 25-year-old Joshua Sharpof Parsons, was wanted for allegedly pointing a firearm at the victim as he drove past the victim’s location.

During the Friday chase, the minivan ran several stop signs at a high rate of speed. The vehicle
exited the Parsons city limits and continued on Hwy 400 and reached very high speeds. The vehicle
finally came to a stop in the area of Hwy 400 and County Road 5300 in Montgomery County.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Joshua Cole Sharp who was  was taken into custody.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Parsons Police Department all played important parts in the apprehension.

The Parsons Police Department is requesting the following charges for Joshua Cole
Sharp; Illegal Registration; Failure to Yield; Fleeing and attempt to Elude; Reckless Driving; Excessive Speed; Failure to Signal, Felony Interference Destruction of Evidence, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, No Insurance; Driving while Suspended; Improper Passing, and Felony Interference (Giving False Name); and Aggravated Assault from the July 5th investigation.

At the conclusion of the pursuit, a firearm was located. It appeared that prior to pulling over Sharp had
disassembled the firearm. Some of the pieces were located inside the vehicle and others were located
outside of the vehicle, where Sharp had attempted to discard them to hinder the officer’s investigation.

The firearm located matched the description of the firearm used in the Aggravated Assault on July 5th.

Sharp is a convicted felon and restricted from possession of firearms.