Howell County, MO — A West Plains man is behind bars following a dangerous series of events on July 5 that began with an illegally parked vehicle and escalated into a high-speed chase, a near collision with a deputy, and the discovery of drugs and a loaded handgun.
Around 9:00 a.m., Deputy Leekota B. Amore of the Howell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a follow-up call on County Road 5470 regarding a red Chevrolet Impala that had been obstructing traffic since the previous day. Despite prior warnings to the owner, 41-year-old Jeffery Gould, the vehicle remained in the roadway—now surrounded by traffic cones, restricting the road to a single lane.
As Deputy Amore, Cpl. Thomas, and Deputy Hambelton approached the vehicle, Gould emerged from a nearby home, got into the Impala, locked the doors, and refused to follow verbal commands. In a sudden escalation, Gould reversed the vehicle at high speed, nearly striking Deputy Amore, who was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
Gould then fled the scene, leading deputies on a vehicle pursuit through rural Howell County. Due to safety concerns, deputies kept a safe distance during the chase. Gould eventually ran out of gas on County Road 5570 and fled on foot. Deputy Hambelton apprehended him shortly afterward.
During the arrest, deputies found a CPR mask pouch containing a baggie of white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, along with several packets later confirmed to be Suboxone. Gould also informed deputies of a firearm inside the vehicle. A search of the Impala uncovered a loaded HiPoint CF380 handgun, a glass pipe with residue, and a homemade mouthpiece—all of which tested positive for methamphetamine.
The vehicle was removed from the scene by Hughes’ Towing, and all evidence was processed at the Howell County Sheriff’s Office.
Gould was booked into the Howell County Adult Detention Center and is facing the following charges:
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Assault – 1st Degree or Attempt (Special Victim) – Class A Felony
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Armed Criminal Action – Two Counts, Unclassified Felonies
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Resisting Arrest by Fleeing (Creating Substantial Risk) – Class E Felony
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Unlawful Use of a Weapon (While in Possession of a Controlled Substance) – Class E Felony
His bond has been set at $100,000.
