Springfield, MO – U.S. Marshals and the Greene County Sheriff’s
Department arrested a fugitive on Tuesday after a brief foot pursuit
through a south Springfield neighborhood.
Dereck Ray Owens faces multiple felony charges in
Webster and Greene Counties, including multiple counts of weapons,
drugs, and forgery. On November 15th, the U.S. Marshals Service Midwest
Violent Fugitive Task Force joined the hunt for Owens. On Tuesday, U.S.
Marshals and detectives from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive
Apprehension Unit located Owens seated on a motorcycle near 800 S. Oak
Park in Springfield. As they approached, Owens fled on foot with
deputies in close pursuit. Deputies caught Owens a short time later
without further incident. Owens is believed to be responsible for at
least two stolen vehicles recovered from the scene, including the
motorcycle.
“Owens is charged with multiple weapon and drug
charges stemming from a two-county crime spree in Southwest Missouri,”
said Mark James, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri. “I’m
thankful he was arrested without further danger to the community or our
law enforcement officers.”
The U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task
Force—Springfield Division, partners with members of the Greene County
Sheriff’s Office, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, the Springfield
Police Department, and the Joplin Police Department. The mission of U.S.
Marshals Service fugitive programs is to seek out and arrest fugitives
charged with violent crimes, drug and sex offenses, and other serious
felonies. To accomplish this mission, the U.S. Marshals Service partners
with local law enforcement agencies in 94 district offices, 85 local
fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as many foreign
countries.
Submit tips on fugitives directly and anonymously
to the U.S. Marshals Service by downloading the USMS Tips app to your
Apple or Android device, or online at:
https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.html .
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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