Suspect in Marshall attempted robbery being held here

A man suspected of attempting to rob a relative at gunpoint in Marshall was arrested here, along with two others in the vehicle.

Marshall officers were requesting charges of second-degree assault with a firearm, first-degree burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, false impersonation of a law enforcement officer and property damage against Shawn W. Spellmeyer, 34, of the 1300 South Harrison Avenue, said Lt. Mark Pitts.

Spellmeyer was released from Pettis County Jail without charges and was seeking treatment at Bothwell Regional Health Center, said a jail spokesman. The jail officer was unsure why Spellmeyer needed treatment.

Two others who were with Spellmeyer in a sport utility vehicle were also arrested. They are: Nathan Wayne Dotson, 21, of the 700 block of East Fifth Street, and David Justin Dotson Jr., 27, of the 800 block of East Fifth Street. David Dotson was charged in Pettis County Circuit Court Friday with a class D felony resisting arrest for a felony. He was released from Pettis County Jail on $3,500 bond.

Nathan Dotson remained in jail on a hold by probation and parole and a 24-hour hold pending the filing of charges. The 24-hour hold was set to expire at 2:21 a.m. Saturday.

Pitts said he was unsure if officers would request charges on David Dotson and Nathan Dotson in relation to the attempted robbery.

The three were arrested after 1:15 a.m. Friday at North Prospect Avenue and West Johnson Street, according to Sedalia Police Department reports.

Christina Mejia, 25, of 507 East Vest St., in Marshall, called police just before 1 a.m. Friday to report her home was broken into, according to Marshall police reports. Mejia told officers a man said he was a police officer then kicked in her door.

The man, who was wearing a bandana over part of his face, forced Almarez Benavides, 32, to the floor and pointed a handgun at Mejia. He told Mejia, “Don’t make me use this,” according to Marshall police reports.

Mejia told officers she recognized the man’s voice as Spellmeyer, who is a relative, Pitts said. He was unsure how Mejia and Spellmeyer are related.

When Mejia called him by Spellmeyer’s name, the man ran out of the home and into a dark colored SUV.

The Sedalia Police Department received a call from the Marshall Police Department about the attempted robbery in which officers thought the suspects would be headed to Sedalia. Patrolman Brad Anders waited at the north city limits on North Limit Avenue until the vehicle matching the description of the robbery suspects passed him at 87 mph, reports stated.

The vehicle, driven by David Dotson, wouldn’t stop, leading to a chase reaching 70 mph, according to a probable cause statement written by Anders. At times, David Dotson’s vehicle lights were turned off.

Anders used K-9 Demo during the traffic stop at gunpoint. Officers found three bags of marijuana outside the passenger side, just under the SUV, according to Anders’ statement. Officers also found a wooden pipe in the rear passenger seat.

Pitts said no gun was found in the search of the vehicle.