From the Howell County Sheriff’s Department:
On December 15, 2025, at approximately 2:29 a.m., deputies with the Howell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary in progress in the area of County Road 4210 near West Plains.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered two male suspects. One suspect fled into the woods, while the second suspect attempted to lock himself inside a vehicle and refused to comply with deputies’ commands. Despite repeated attempts at verbal de-escalation, the suspect continued reaching toward his waistband and areas inside the vehicle, raising safety concerns.
Less-lethal force options, including a Taser and OC spray, were deployed but proved ineffective. The suspect then started the vehicle, maneuvered around patrol units that had attempted to contain him, and fled northbound. Corporal Weaver and Deputy Taylor initiated a pursuit. During the pursuit, Corporal Weaver conducted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) was executed in an effort to stop the suspect and disable the vehicle. The suspect initially entered a ditch and struck a telephone pole but was able to continue driving.
The pursuit continued to northbound U.S. Highway 63 and State Route N in Pomona, where Corporal Weaver conducted a second TVI. This second TVI caused the driver to lose control, strike a guardrail which caused the vehicle to overturn into a ditch. The driver, identified as Anthony J. Reyes, 46, of West Plains was extracted and taken into custody without further incident.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded handgun, approximately 184.5 grams (6.5 ounces) of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, approximately 40 Xanax pills, digital scales, and packaging materials consistent with the sale and distribution of narcotics.
Reyes was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and was later medically cleared and booked into the Howell County Jail. Formal charges include:
• Trafficking in the First Degree – Class B Felony
• Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention – Class D Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony
• Property Damage in the First Degree – Class E Felony
• Property Damage in the First Degree ¬- Class E Felony
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Class E Felony
The second suspect, identified as James D Varnum, 40, of West Plains, who initially fled the scene, was located and arrested later that day at approximately 12:20 p.m. Following multiple interviews, Varnum was formally charged with:
• Property Damage in the First Degree – Class E Felony
Both suspects are currently being held at the Howell County Jail. Reyes is held on $250,000 bond while Varnum is held on a $10,000 bond.
THANK YOU to the Pomona Fire Department for their traffic control and scene assistance on this cold night!
Note: A charge is merely an accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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