The police departments in Harrison and Branson are working together to identify a suspect of a vehicle theft in Branson. The vehicle was reportedly involved in a crash Monday night in Harrison.
According to the Harrison Daily Times, a male subject contacted the Harrison Police Department from an apartment complex just after 11:00 Monday evening saying he heard tires squealing, followed by a loud bang, and thought there must have been an automobile accident. Police searched the area and located an overturned vehicle on Airport Road near Gipson Road. Harrison Fire and Rescue also responded, but no one was in the vehicle, and there was no sign of the driver. Officers determined the vehicle was reported stolen Sunday from a Branson resort, but there were no suspects.
Harrison Police Chief Paul Woodruff said officials continued to check for the driver and located 31-year-old Robert Cuellar of Harrison sitting beside a barbed wire fence along Gipson Road. Officers noticed Cuellar had scratches and bumps on his arms.
Cuellar reportedly told investigators he was a passenger, and the vehicle was driven by a male subject named either Jacob or Jason. Cuellar said he got out of the vehicle at Hester Drive and Airport Road, when he found out it was stolen, and the driver continued southbound.
Cuellar alleges he saw the vehicle hit a utility pole and roll over. He says he went to check on the driver he identified as a friend, but the driver crawled out of the vehicle and began running across the pasture.
Chief Woodruff says the investigation is ongoing.
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