13-04-2025
Sparta man arrested for ramming into law enforcement cars, resisting arrest in pursuit
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. — A man from Sparta was arrested after ramming into multiple law enforcement vehicles and resisting arrest during an early morning pursuit on Sunday, April 13.
According to a Facebook post from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Shawn Wilson assisted the Ozark Police Department in a pursuit on West State Route 14 heading into Douglas County.
The suspect, identified as Steven Browning from Sparta, drove into Ava and then into the Signal gas station. DCSO says law enforcement attempted to block Browning's vehicle in the parking lot, but Browning then struck Degase's and Wilson's vehicles and rammed into an Ozark Police unit while backing up.
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Browning had to be forced out of his vehicle by Degase and continued to resist arrest until Ozark PD, Ava PD and DCSO put him in handcuffs, even trying to grab a knife on his person while being arrested. Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wilson received minor injuries in the incident.
'We were very fortunate that no one was seriously injured in this incident. There is only one good and that is knowledge, and one evil and that is ignorance,' said Sheriff Degase.
Browning is charged with three counts of first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, three counts of armed criminal action, aggravated fleeing arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and DWI.
Browning is being held in Douglas County Jail with no bond.
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