Owensville police had terminated a pursuit late Monday morning before reaching Rosebud, which began near Route EE and Highway 28 in town, for a man wanted on an outstanding Franklin County felony warrant.

Owensville Police Chief Scott Griffith said Tuesday morning the pursuit was terminated approaching the U.S. 50 junction with Highway 28 after speeds reached in excess of 100 miles per hour. Griffith said a city patrolman spotted Leo Riley, Jr., leaving a residence near Breaktime and ordered him to stop. Riley got into a “mini-van” and took off heading east toward Rosebud at around 11:17 a.m. April 7.

Griffith said his officer saw Riley turn east onto U.S. 50 from a distance as the call was made to stop pursing him. Riley then pulled onto Old Motel Road inside Rosebud city limits and abandoned the vehicle on foot.

Gasconade County Sheriff Scott Eiler said his deputies responded to Rosebud and located the mini-van “overheating and smoking” where it was left.

Eiler said canine units and drones were used by his deputies and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies as they searched for Riley. A Missouri State Highway Patrol helicopter was also flown to the area to assist in the search particularly along the Missouri Rock Island Trail State Park corridor.

Riley has outstanding warrants for his arrest and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Eiler. Griffith said Riley has a history of resisting arrest. He is wanted on Franklin County felony charges alleging vehicle tampering and resisting arrest.

Riley, who has long hair, was last seen wearing a camo jacket, blue jeans, and a hat. Anyone spotting Riley is asked to call 911 but do not approach him, Eiler warned.

Gerald police also responded to the Rosebud community during the initial ground and air search for Riley, according to Eiler.