Licking man faces multiple charges

A peaceful evening in Licking was interrupted by sirens between 8:40 and 9 p.m. Monday, as a Licking man damaged vehicles in the Dollar General parking lot and broke into the Licking Police Department (LPD). It was a burst of action in a short time span for LPD officers.

On April 6, at approximately 8:40 p.m., officers with the Licking Police Department responded to a mutual aid request from the Texas County Sheriff’s Office regarding an assault involving a firearm that had occurred just outside the city limits. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and traveled into the city.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., dispatch advised that the suspect had entered the Dollar General Parking lot and had collided with two vehicles. The suspect fled before officers arrived.

“Surveillance footage later showed the suspect, identified as Dewayne A. Nelson, age 45, of Licking, Missouri, entering the parking lot at a high rate of speed and intentionally striking the rear of an occupied white SUV, causing damage to an additional vehicle. After the collision, Nelson exited his vehicle and continued to verbally and physically confront a victim, who reported fear of imminent harm,” shared LPD Chief Pat Burton in a press release.

Minutes later, the officers were notified the suspect was at the police department. The suspect had driven over the curb on the south side of the police station and nearly struck the front of the building before bringing his vehicle to a stop. A floor jack from his vehicle was used to destroy two entry doors to the department, and severe damage was caused to an interior safety window before the suspect barricaded himself inside the building.

When officers arrived, they observed Nelson inside the building with his hand concealed under his shirt. Nelson then entered the restroom area and turned off the lights, leaving the door partially open. He simulated possession of a firearm using what was later discovered to be a caulking tube, and made statements indicating a willingness to use deadly force.

After a brief negotiation, Nelson discarded the caulking tube and exited the building. He was taken into custody at 9 p.m. and was transported to the Texas County Jail. A chemical breath test indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.119 percent.

The Licking Police Department submitted a probable cause statement to the Texas County Prosecuting Attorney seeking charges of Assault in the First Degree or Attempt (Class B Felony), Property Damage in the First Degree – Law Enforcement (Class D Felony), Property Damage in the First Degree (Class E Felony), Driving While Intoxicated – Serious Physical Injury (Class D Felony), and BAC – Prior Offender (Class A Misdemeanor).

Prior to entering the city limits, Nelson was involved in an assault handled by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department. According to a probable cause statement, a woman reported Andy Nelson had kicked in the door to her residence on Highway 32 while holding a rifle. She stated he demanded to know where her husband was, and when told he wasn’t at home, he walked her through the residence several times while pointing the rifle at her. During the encounter, he struck her in the face and later used the stock of the rifle to strike her in the chest. When he left the residence, he stated he was going to kill her husband.

The Texas County Sheriff’s Department submitted a probable cause statement seeking charges of Unlawful Use of Weapon, Armed Criminal Action, Assault – 2nd Degree, and two counts of Endanger Child Welfare – 1st Degree.

This case remains under investigation by the Licking Police Department in coordination with the Texas County Sheriff’s Office.

The LPD lobby will be closed until further notice and the department requests the public’s patience and cooperation while damages are repaired. The police department can still be reached by phone at 573-674-2278.

The above information is just mere accusations and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of any charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.