Burglary suspect from Ozark County faces new charges from high-speed pursuit

An Ozark County man accused in a string of burglaries in Douglas County is facing new charges from a high-speed pursuit ending with his vehicle catching fire. Shane Worthey has been charged in Christian County with felony counts of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop.

According to the probable cause statement, a Christian County deputy observed a pickup truck on Missouri Highway 14 at Sparta on April 8 and was aware its registered owner, identified as Worthey, had active felony warrants. The deputy turned on his flashing lights, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, passing other vehicles and a school zone.

The vehicle reportedly reached 100 miles per hour in a speed zone of 45 between a convenience store and Payne Drive. It continued around several other vehicles and reached 109 miles per hour in a 55. The truck began to slow down and brake check the deputy’s patrol vehicle. It nearly hit several vehicles head-on on Highway 14.

The truck then continued down a dead-end road and hit a tree head-on. An unidentified individual exited the passenger side, and the driver threw the vehicle in reverse, nearly hitting the individual. The suspect then put the vehicle back in drive and continued on the dead-end road.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, a spike strip was deployed by Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole, resulting in three flats on the vehicle. The vehicle caught on fire and became fully engulfed. The driver initially refused to exit the vehicle, but he was eventually taken into custody and positively identified as Worthey.

Worthey is one of four suspects facing charges in the Douglas County burglaries. Worthy, James Pickens and Larry Elliot of Norwood and Dustin Lee of Mountain Grove are charged with first-degree burglary and stealing more than $25,000. Lee and Elliot are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

At last update, Worthey was being held in the Douglas County Jail without bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on Tuesday.

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