Wanted Pittsburg felon captured
A wanted felon from Pittsburg is now in custody after being sought after for nearly two weeks. Read the full press release below:
The Pittsburg Police Department’s Investigations Division received several tips and leads regarding the whereabouts of 31-year-old William Theadore Patton, who was on court ordered GPS ankle monitoring awaiting court proceedings on several felony cases. Patton physically removed the GPS device on August 26, 2021, and has been evading police since that date.
On September 7, 2021, investigators received information that William Patton was hiding out at 504 E. 9th St. in Pittsburg. Information received over the past week had suggested that Patton was armed with a handgun. In the afternoon on this date, it was confirmed that Patton was indeed inside the residence and armed; surveillance was set up on the residence while a search warrant for the residence was obtained. Pittsburg Police requested the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s (KBI) High Risk Warrant Team to execute the search warrant.
At approximately 9:06 p.m., Pittsburg Police Special Response Team and the KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team arrived at 504 E. 9th St. and began the execution of the search warrant. Officers and investigators with Pittsburg Police, an investigator with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Joplin Police Department SWAT officers and K9 handlers set up and maintained a perimeter around the residence. The front door of the residence was breached by KBI’s team and efforts to call out the occupants inside the residence began.
20-year-old Michael Dusty Joe Taylor, who resides at the residence, was encountered and exited the residence without incident. Taylor was arrested and charged with obstructing apprehension. He was transported to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers began the evacuation of several nearby residences to assure the safety of the residents in the area. For the next nine hours KBI’s team attempted to call Patton out of the residence in an effort to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) Special Response Team, numerous troopers, and KHP K9 handlers also responded to lend assistance.
At approximately 6:00 a.m. on September 8, 2021, Patton, who had crawled into the attic of the residence, f on the front porch. He immediately got up and attempted to flee southbound. Patton was quickly apprehended with the assistance of the KHP K9 and a handler.
The residence was cleared for other occupants and found to be empty. A subsequent search warrant is currently being drafted for the residence to seize any weapons Patton was in possession of. Patton was arrested without incident on outstanding felony warrants out of Woodson County and Crawford County.
In addition, Patton will be charged with felony interference with law enforcement and unlawfully tampering with an electronic monitoring device. He is currently being held in Crawford County Jail without bond
The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time.