Two arrested after Route V chase

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Two St. Joseph men were in custody Thursday afternoon in the Nodaway County jail following a 20-minute vehicle chase southwest of Maryville involving Maryville Public Safety Officers, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office personnel, and troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Public Safety Lt. Ron Christian said the pursuit began after employees at a South Main retail store called police to report two people behaving suspiciously.

Christian said stores on the south end have experienced a rash of “grab-and-run” and shoplifting thefts over the last few weeks.

Officers responded to the call and reportedly saw the two suspects inside a Dodge pickup truck near another business. When police initiated a traffic stop, the suspects fled, turning west on Route V.

The chase, which Christian said reached excessive speeds on the winding, two-lane blacktop and nearby gravel roads, ended when the suspects left the roadway and drove into a harvested cornfield.

At one point during the pursuit, one of the men was seen throwing something out the truck’s window. Officers believe the object may be drug related but are continuing to investigate, Christian said.

Both men were arrested without incident after the truck broke down while crossing the field.

Nodaway County authorities identified the suspects as Aaron Scott Nichols, 32, and Jarrett Hendrix, 35. Both were incarcerated on a 24-hour investigative hold pending the filing of formal charges.