On March 20, 2021 at 1:46 am, Parsons Police Department officers took a stolen vehicle report for a blue, 2013 Ford Escape. The vehicle was reportedly stolen from the 1100 block of South 13th St. The vehicle was entered into the National Crime and Information Center (NCIC) as a stolen vehicle. The victim, Jessie May Miller, suspected the thief was Billy Ray Duncan, 22 years old, of Parsons.

On March 22, 2021 at approximately 4:05 pm, Parsons Police Dispatch received a call from a citizen, who knew about the stolen vehicle. The citizen reported to police that the vehicle was in the area of 24th to 26th St. and Stevens to Crawford Ave. Parsons Police Commander Kyle Wiford was in the 2600 block of Clark Ave. and was able to observe a vehicle matching the description of the Ford Escape traveling westbound on Clark Ave. The vehicle drove west past Wiford, when he turned around to check the vehicle, he was able to verify that it was the stolen Ford reported on March 20th.

Wiford attempted to stop the vehicle at 29th and Clark Ave, but driver of the stolen Ford failed to stop and turned northbound on North 30th St. The driver then ran a stop sign at 30th St. and Stevens Ave. and a brief pursuit of the vehicle took place before it stopped in the 500 block of North 30th St. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted with the assistance of Corporal Garrett Lucas, the occupants of the vehicle were removed from the vehicle and safely detained without further incident.

The driver, who was confirmed as Billy Duncan, and a 30-year-old, female passenger were interviewed at the scene. Duncan was subsequently arrested in connection with the theft of the motor vehicle, attempting to flee and elude law enforcement, driving without a license, possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia along with minor traffic violations. The female was released on scene. Duncan also had an active warrant for his arrest through Labette County Sheriff's Office. The warrant was for a bond violation in a pending criminal case for criminal use of weapons, for possession of a firearm, and possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

The vehicle was safely recovered and was able to be returned to the owner. There were no injuries or traffic collisions during the brief pursuit and the recovery of the stolen Ford.

Commander Wiford said, "I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time, stopping the stolen vehicle, and getting it returned to its rightful owner. I am also pleased that Mr. Duncan after fleeing for a short time decided to stop and not further endanger the citizens of our community by evading law enforcement. Pursuits with stolen vehicles are never a guaranteed success, and often times end in needless loss of property, or in some extreme cases loss of life.  We as a community were fortunate that this one turned out great for the owner and our citizenry."

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks added, "This is again, another great example of community success through the use of 'See It, Hear It, Report It' working and facilitating the capture of yet another, wanted fugitive, who had feloniously taken another's vehicle with no regard for personal property. I would like to thank this great citizen for their observations and determination in seeing this criminal stopped and brought to justice."

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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