Chase Leads to a Double Arrest
On March 23, 2023 at approximately 10:37 am, Parsons Police Sergeant Waylon Kepley and Officer Joshua Lindsey were dispatched to the Lobby of the Police Department, 217 N Central for a man who was acting disorderly by yelling at the dispatcher on duty and beating his fists against the windows in the lobby.
The officers were advised that the suspect, identified as Clinton Vance McGinnes, 53 of rural Parsons, had walked out of the lobby. Officers walked out of the lobby and watched McGinnes as he screamed obscenities at the officer while getting into his vehicle. McGinnes also began to scream racial slurs at the officers. McGinnes then made a rude gesture at the officers and sped off from the building running the stop sign and narrowly missing another vehicle almost causing a collision.
Officer Russell Parsons was on scene in his patrol vehicle and attempted to stop McGinnes for the traffic violation. McGinnes fled disobeying stop signs, traffic rules and traffic lights. McGinnes was driving over 100 mph as he fled from the officers heading south on 16th street. The pursuit continued south out of Parsons and McGinnes continued to his residence at 178 17000 Rd at a high rate of speed.
McGinnes got out and ran into his house as officers arrived and gave chase into the house. Once inside the house McGinnes tried to barricade himself behind doors to avoid apprehension. Officers were forced to kick the door open to get to McGinnes. Again, McGinnes fled to another room and used his body this time to barricade the door. Officers were forced to make entry into the room. Once the officers were finally able to get into the room McGinnes became combative during the arrest. McGinnes was finally Tased by the officers and placed in handcuffs.
While being apprehended, Frances McGinnes, Clinton's mother, grabbed a stick and began to strike officers on the back and in the back of their heads while subduing Clinton McGinnes. Frances was ordered to drop the stick but continued to strike the officers. Francis was restrained and then arrested as well.
Emergency Medical Services were called to evaluate both Clinton McGinnes and his 72-year-old mother Frances McGinnes. Mother and son were cleared by EMS, and they were transported to the Parsons Police Department and processed into the holding facility.
Charges have been sent to the Labette County Attorney's Office by the Parsons Police Department requesting the following for Clinton McGinnes, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Disorderly Conduct, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Interference with Law Enforcement and several traffic offenses. The charges for Frances McGinnes that were requested are Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.
Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "this situation could have ended in the death of one of my officers or the suspect or even worse, an innocent bystander. The needless unprovoked attack on law enforcement will not be tolerated and I hope the judge also sees the need for intervention in this matter. I am ever grateful that the Officers, suspects and everyone involved were unharmed, but that luck will only hold out so long. I just pray that we continue to stay safe in the future."
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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