By NANCY WHITAKER

Progress Staff Writer

ANTWERP – A Missouri man led Antwerp police on a foot chase on Sunday evening, Jan. 2. Charges of pandering and importuning were filed against the adult male who authorities say traveled to Ohio, believing he was to meet and have relations with a 14-year-old female from Antwerp.

Chris M. Bealhen (age unavailable) of Waynesville, Mo., was being taken into custody on those charges when he allegedly escaped from Antwerp Police Officer Stormy Doctor.

Bealhen, who was handcuffed at the time, took off on foot and ran at least 1.5 miles before being apprehended. The night was cold for anyone to be running from police, but the escaped prisoner was not wearing a coat. Police Chief George Clemens III said, “The guy wasn’t really big, but he sure could run fast.”

The escapee finally ran into a bus garage where he boarded a school bus and hid. Clemens said, “He had all intentions of starting the bus and making his getaway, but that’s where we finally got him.”

A call for assistance to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department was placed by Antwerp P.D. at 7:55 p.m. and they were on the scene until approximately 9:30 p.m. Also assisting in the pursuit was Payne Police Chief Rodney Miller.

Bealhen was arraigned Monday morning in Paulding County Court on three felony counts, which included two fifth-degree felonies of pandering and importuning of a minor, and a third-degree felony charge of escape.

Bealhen’s arrest was part of an Antwerp Police Department grant-aided project to prevent Internet crimes against children.