Cape Girardeau man facing several charges after traffic stop turns to foot chase

CAPE GIRARDEU, Mo. (KBSI) – A Cape Girardeau man faces several charges after police say a traffic stop led to a foot chase and drug arrest.

Joshua Patton, 36, of Cape Girardeau faces charges of second degree felony armed criminal action, class D felony of assault in the third degree, class D felony of disarming a peace officer, class E felony of resisting an arrest, two counts of class C felony of delivery of a controlled substance, class E felony of unlawful use of a weapon and class A misdemeanor of property damage.

An officer with the Cape Girardeau Police Department conducted a traffic stop on August 4 around 1:08 a.m. near the intersection of S. Spanish and Merriwether after officers say the driver committed a traffic violation.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Patton.

The officer learned Patton had two outstanding warrants for his arrest from other agencies.

The officer removed Patton from the vehicle and tried to place him in handcuffs. However, police say Patton continued to pull away and resist the officer. That’s when police say Patton struck the officer in the head with his hand and began running away.

The officer began chasing Patton on foot and tried to deploy one set of taser probes into Patton but did not make contact with Patton.

Police say Patton ran into a carport area near the 100 block of S. Spanish.

The officer deployed another set of taser probes that made contact with Patton and caused him to fall to the ground.

The officer tried to place Patton in handcuffs, but police say Patton continued to resist and refuse to give his hands to the officer.

The officer drive-stunned Patton in his upper torso. However, police say that had no effect on Patton.

That’s when they say Patton grabbed the officer’s taser, disarming the officer from his taser and the taser fell to the ground. The officer continued to gain control of Patton’s hands.

Police say Patton retrieved the taser, pointed it at the officer and pulled the trigger.

During the altercation with Patton, both Patton and the officer became entangled in the taser wires, which caused the electricity from the taser to affect both the officer and Patton.

Other officers responded and were able to arrest Patton.

Police searched the vehicle Patton was driving and say they found one firearm with an extended magazine, approximately 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 24 grams of suspected crack cocaine and about 5 grams of unidentifiable tablets.

Patton is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.