Robert Francis Douglas has been arrested in Bates County after a vehicle pursuit September 11th, 2012. Douglas had been wanted for questioning by a number of law enforcement agencies in the area.

 Douglas, 36, of Garden City, Missouri is a suspect in numerous thefts, burglaries and auto thefts in Johnson County, as well as several surrounding counties.  A three count warrant was issued on September 11^th, 2012 by the Johnson County Circuit Court charging Douglas with Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Stealing a Motor Vehicle and Felonious Restraint.  Bond was set at $25,000.

 On September 10^th, 2012 Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies interrupted Douglas at a burglary at the MFA in Emma,Missouri.  Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to arrest Douglas, but he fled the scene in a vehicle previously  stolen from Henry County.  Deputies pursued Douglas and a female passenger into Johnson County, where they abandoned the stolen vehicle and fled on foot.  Douglas then stole a vehicle from a barn in the area of 1100 NE 23 Highway, Knob Noster, Missouri.  Later the same day, Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies located the female subject, who reported that Douglas had been holding her against her will and would not allow her to leave.  The female advised that Douglas later abandoned her in a wooded area near the location of the Knob Noster vehicle theft.. Douglas later disposed of the stolen truck near Dresden in Pettis County. PettisCounty Sheriff’s Officers and Detectives from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office recovered the stolen truck.

 Johnson County Sheriff’s Detectives have linked Robert F. Douglas to several crimes in Johnson County starting in late August of 2012.  Authorities in Johnson, Jackson, Cass, Bates, Lafayette, Henry and Pettis counties had been working closely together to apprehend Douglas over the past several days.