Four Taken Into Custody After Pursuit in Bonne Terre; Armed Robbery Investigation Continues

Bonne Terre, Mo. (KFMO) - Four people were taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit in Bonne Terre as police continue to investigate a suspected armed robbery connected to an online transaction.

According to the Bonne Terre Police Department, officers were dispatched February 23, 2026, to the 300 block of Francis Street after receiving a report of a suspicious vehicle. Information provided to officers indicated the occupants may have been planning an armed robbery tied to an online social media marketplace transaction.

Police were advised the vehicle and its occupants had possibly been involved in a prior online scam in which items were advertised for sale and the buyer was robbed during an in-person meeting. While those earlier details had not yet been confirmed, officers were informed the suspects were believed to be armed with multiple firearms and were waiting at a prearranged meeting location.

Before officers arrived, law enforcement learned the individual who had been communicating with the suspects did not show up at the meeting location. When the first officer arrived, the suspect vehicle reportedly accelerated toward the patrol unit before fleeing the area.

Officers initiated a pursuit through Bonne Terre, continuing east of town on Route K. The vehicle later attempted to turn onto Hillsboro Road, lost control, and crashed off the roadway. No injuries were reported to officers, suspects, or the public.

Four occupants, two adults and two juveniles, were taken into custody without further incident. Authorities say all four are from the Illinois Metro East area.

The adult driver was transported to the St. Francois County Jail and faces charges related to the pursuit. Firearms were recovered from the vehicle at the time of arrest. Police say the armed robbery investigation remains active, with initial findings indicating the suspects intended to rob an individual during the scheduled meeting.

The Bonne Terre Police Department is reminding the public about the risks of in-person meetings arranged through online marketplaces and social media. Residents are encouraged to meet in well-lit, public locations, use designated safe exchange zones such as police department parking lots, avoid private residences, and contact law enforcement if a situation appears suspicious.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.