On Thursday, May 6, 2021 at approximately 10:38 PM, officers of the West Plains Police Department were dispatched to a report of a stealing in progress at Walmart Super Center located at 1310 Preacher Roe Blvd.
Officers attempted to apprehend the male subject, identified to be Bart Peterson, upon exiting the business. Peterson attempted to flee on foot and resist arrest as officers were attempting to take Peterson into custody. An officer deployed a Taser on Peterson who fell to the ground. As officers attempted to place Peterson in custody, Peterson pulled a fixed blade knife from a sheath on his waist band and brandished it in a threatening manner at the officers. Peterson attempted to assault an officer with the knife before fleeing on foot again. Peterson was armed with the knife as well as an expandable baton. Peterson was later apprehended and placed under arrest around the intersection of Preacher Roe Blvd. and Mitchell Road with the assistance of other officers.
Peterson was also found to have an active no-bond felony warrant out of the Missouri Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole. Peterson was transported to the Howell County Jail where he was released to their custody pending formal charges for Assault First Degree (Special Victim), Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Criminal Action, Resisting Arrest (Felony) and Stealing through the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The West Plains Police Department would like to thank the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Howell County Sheriff’s office for their assistance in this event.
