Armed Wright City Man Leads Deputies on High-Speed Chase through Warrenton

Posted 8/11/13

A sixty-five-year-old Wright City man, who told police that he wanted to "kill Bob Maret," led Warren County sheriff's deputies on a high-speed chase Nov. 6 down Highway 47 to Interstate 70 before …

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Armed Wright City Man Leads Deputies on High-Speed Chase through Warrenton

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A sixty-five-year-old Wright City man, who told police that he wanted to "kill Bob Maret," led Warren County sheriff's deputies on a high-speed chase Nov. 6 down Highway 47 to Interstate 70 before crashing his vehicle.John L. Mendenhall was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.According to court documents, deputies were dispatched to the area of Dogwood Lake Estates for a subject driving erratically and firing a weapon. Once at the scene, Mendenhall drove around the gate of Dogwood Lake Estates and accelerated to a high speed north Highway 47. The deputy pursued Mendenhall who refused to yield.Mendenhall's vehicle had several near collisions and the pursuit ended at Highway 47 and I-70 when Mendenhall struck a tree. He was taken into custody and during a search police found a .22 revolver in his front right pocket. The firearm contained five rounds in the cylinder, with one having been discharged.Police noticed a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Mendenhall's breath. In addition his eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy and he had difficulty walking and standing. His speech was mumbled. Inside the ambulance Mendenhall became aggressive and said he wanted to "kill Bob Maret."Further investigation found that Mendenhall was a convicted felon who had been charged with possession of an explosive device and sawed-off shotgun on Dec. 6, 1983 by the ATF. It was also found that Mendenhall had made statements earlier on Nov. 6 to a neighbor about his intentions to kill Bob Maret and fired his weapon during the conversation. Armed Wright City Man Leads Deputies on High-Speed Chase through Warrenton


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