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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Posted: Friday, Oct 03, 2008 - 09:56:25 am CDT

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Suspects in chase released, no charges filed

Twenty-four hours after they were taken into custody, three suspects involved in a high-speed chase on Interstate 70 Wednesday morning were released because charges had not yet been filed.

Missouri State Highway Patrol officers took Jamall, Ronnell and Eugene Perkins, all of St. Louis into custody at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday after chasing them 38 miles along I-70 from Callaway County into Montgomery County.

According to media reports, the chase began when patrol officers tried to stop the Perkins' vehicle for a traffic violation. During the course of the chase the suspects allegedly tossed three guns - one of which appears to have been stolen - out the window.

MSHP arrest reports indicate that Eugene Perkins, 31, was arrested for traffic violations and resisting arrest. Ronnell Perkins, 20, was arrested on felony unlawful possession of a firearm. Jamall Perkins, 17, was arrested for possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana.

All three subjects were taken to the Callaway County Jail Wednesday. They were released at 8:45 a.m. Thursday when “charges weren't filed because they didn't get a warrant in 24 hours,” according to a jail officer.

“In Missouri ... as a safeguard (when someone has been arrested on probable cause) you can not hold them forever,” said Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Sterner. “Without a warrant (signed by a judge) they can only hold you for up to 24 hours, or - as we do it in Callaway County - the posting of bond.”

In order to get a warrant, Sterner said an officer has to write a probable cause statement to be taken to a judge, something that has not yet happened in connection with this case.

“We talked with the investigating officer and learned ... at the time we didn't have enough information we believed to meet probable cause,” he said.

Sterner said the highway patrol is still investigating the incident, but said he could not comment as to what kind of charges the suspects will face.

“No (official) charges were ever filed ... and I don't know if any ever will,” Sterner said. “It depends on what the end result of the investigation is.”

The investigating officer was not available at press time.

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