August 8th, 2025 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Potosi man is in custody after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a slow-speed pursuit that began just after midnight Wednesday, August 6.
According to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called at approximately 12:27 a.m. to assist the Washington County Sheriff’s Department with a pursuit that started in Irondale and crossed into St. Francois County. The suspect, later identified as William Laurel Craig of Potosi, was driving a Ford F-350 and reportedly stopped and then fled several times as deputies approached.
By 12:32 a.m., St. Francois County deputies had joined the pursuit. At one point, Craig waved at officers while passing their stationary positions, adding a bizarre twist to the incident. The chase continued into the City of Leadwood, where the suspect circled the area before heading back to Highway 8. Craig then drove through Desloge and turned north onto U.S. Highway 67.
The pursuit ended when Craig exited at Old Orchard Road and drove off-road near Griffin Automotive, where his vehicle became stuck. He resisted arrest but was quickly apprehended by St. Francois County deputies with the help of K-9 Iron.
Craig was transported by St. Francois County EMS to a local hospital for evaluation and then taken to the Washington County Jail. Authorities say he faces multiple charges related to the pursuit, with additional charges pending in St. Francois County.
Deputies successfully deployed spike strips at four separate locations during the incident, which safely deflated the suspect’s tires and helped bring the chase to an end. Craig was also found to have multiple active warrants from agencies including St. Francois and Lincoln Counties. Law enforcement agencies from St. Francois County, Washington County, Potosi, Desloge, Park Hills, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit.
