On April 28, 2023, at about 5:04 pm, Parsons Police were dispatched to 3201 North 16th Street (Wal-Mart), in town. Police were summoned for a report of a theft that had just occurred. Dispatch advised that a white male wearing red shorts, light blue shirt, and white shoes took a bicycle that was being assembled and rode it out of the store south towards the Shoe Department store. 

Sgt Waylon Kepley arrived and began checking the area for the suspect. While conducting an area check looking for the suspect, Sgt Kepley circled back south on 16th Street, he saw a white male on a bicycle wearing a white shirt, red shorts, and white shoes riding out of the east ditch near Holiday Inn Express (1500 Cattle Drive). Once the male was on 16th Street, he started traveling north towards Sgt Kepley. 

Police began following the bicyclist as he rode north on 16th Street.

As Sgt Kepley turned his patrol vehicle around, the male subject was traveling west off road behind the Center Self Storage Units (2312 North 16th Street). Sgt Kepley was able to locate a driveway into the open lot and the male subject was now heading east back towards the road. Sgt Kepley was about to cut off his route to the road and the male traveled south in the ditch. Sgt Kepley parked his patrol unit and gave chase on foot ordering the male to stop and get off the bicycle. The male refused and continued south.    

While chasing the suspect, an unknown citizen who was a white male in a four-door white passenger car (possibly a Chevy) was southbound on 16th Street when he stopped his vehicle and chased the suspect as well. The suspect got off the bicycle and ran several more feet before stopping and sitting down. When Sgt Kepley arrived the citizen was standing near the suspect who was lying down on his back. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. While Sgt Kepley thanked the citizen as he was walking back to his vehicle, he left before Sgt Kepley could get his name to ensure he got a thank you.

The Department would like to thank the Good Samaritan who stopped to assist Sgt Kepley. At the time of this incident other officers were all tied up with other calls. 

The suspect was identified as Waite Aaron Showalter. Showalter was found to be in possession of a baseball hat and Axe hair product that was also stolen from Wal-Mart. Along with the stolen bicycle. Showalter was escorted to PSO Joshua Lindsey Jr. patrol vehicle and transported to the Parsons Police Department Lockup Facility. 

Showalter has previous convictions for interference with Law Enforcement Officer's.

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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