Sparta Man Arrested Following Pursuit In Ongo Area of County

A Sparta man was taken into custody Sunday in the Ongo area of western Douglas County following a pursuit by Douglas County officers.
Sheriff Chris Degase said Daren Allen, 26, was turned over to Christian County on their warrants, and also faces pending charges in Douglas County.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by Conservation Agent Mark Henry who had received a call from a property owner.  While feeding cattle in the vicinity of County Road 519 the landowner located a truck parked behind Ritter Cemetery quite a distance from the roadway. He believed the abandoned truck might belong to poachers.
The Sheriff’s Office was provided with license plate information that indicated the truck was stolen out of Nixa.
Agent Henry picked up Corporal Nathan Long, of the Sheriff’s Dept., on the way to CR 519.    However, as the officers arrived at the location where the vehicle was previously seen, Agent Henry received a call from the property owner stating the vehicle had just pulled into McDonald’s in Ava.
Ava Police Department was immediately notified and responded to the area.  As Agent Henry and Cpl. Long returned to town they were advised that the vehicle was now headed west on Highway 14 from Ava.
At this time Christian County and the Missouri State Highway Patrol also got involved in the incident.
A Christian County car advised the officers that they were now in pursuit of the vehicle on CR 551 off of UU Highway in the Ongo area.
During this time the pursued vehicle hit a gate as it attempted to navigate its way into a driveway.  Agent Henry and Corporal Long met a Christian County deputy  at the driveway where they removed the damaged gate from the roadway and proceeded into the property to pursue the vehicle.
As the officers entered the private driveway, they met the vehicle in question coming at them. The driver of the stolen vehicle then backed up into a field and attempted to turn around where it became stuck. Cpl. Long exited Agent Henry’s vehicle and ran to the vehicle on foot.  The truck was freed and once again began driving across the field, with Corporal Long in pursuit on foot for about 40 yards before the vehicle became stuck once more.
The suspect was apprehended at that time and transported to Christian County on their warrants.
Douglas County also placed a hold on the subject for further charges here.