Suspected car thief arrested after brief chase

A West Plains man remains in custody after police say he crashed a stolen car while fleeing arrest. Ryan A. Kniess, 43, faces one count of stealing a motor vehicle, one count of resisting arrest, one count of resisting arrest by fleeing and creating a substantial risk, and one count of drug possession after he allegedly ran from Howell County Sheriff’s Deputies in a stolen car on July 17. 

According to a probable cause statement signed by Deputy Brian Jackson, law enforcement encountered Kniess in a vehicle reported stolen from the City of West Plains on County Road 8160 at approximately 4:00 p.m. As Deputy Jackson attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Kniess accelerated and fled at a high rate of speed while swerving into both lanes of traffic. 

Kniess crashed the car into a ditch and a gate before finally leaping from the vehicle to flee on foot. Without a driver, the stolen car crashed into a tree. Additional deputies had joined the chase at this point. They located and arrested Kniess at 4:53 p.m.

Investigation found containers of powder believed to be methamphetamine in Kniess’s possession in the car. 

The defendant was formally charged on July 18. Kniess’s bond was set at $25,000. He was arraigned and pled not guilty before the Honorable R. David Ray on July 19. This matter was scheduled for counsel status hearing on July 24.