Cops say welfare check leads to arrest, foot pursuit

Pottersville resident Landon Marsh has been charged in Howell County court with two additional felonies, resisting arrest and unlawfully possessing a firearm, after officers conducting a welfare check in Caulfield found the wanted suspect in a vehicle. 

According to a post on the Howell County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page, Howell County Deputy Austin L. Ryan was dispatched to conduct a welfare check on two people who were seen inside a parked vehicle at the Hitchin' Post in Caulfield a little after noon Monday, July 7. 

“The routine call quickly escalated when one of the individuals was confirmed to have an active arrest warrant and attempted to flee, leading to a physical struggle and subsequent arrest,” the post said, referencing Landon Marsh.

When Deputy Ryan arrived on scene, he noticed a silver Lexus SUV with two occupants, a woman in the driver’s seat and Landon Marsh, in the passenger’s seat. 

The woman reportedly told the officer that they were experiencing vehicle issues and had been waiting for assistance. The post says that out of concern for the high temperatures, Deputy Ryan offered to transport them to a nearby air-conditioned location, he said. 

During the encounter, Deputy Ryan recognized Marsh from prior interactions and requested a warrant check. Dispatch confirmed that Marsh had an active warrant for a probation violation out of Springfield. When approached for identification, Marsh allegedly falsely identified himself as another individual and became visibly nervous. Deputy Ryan also observed what appeared to be a rifle between Marsh’s legs, partially concealed, the post says.

After confirming Marsh’s identity through photo comparison, Deputy Ryan attempted to detain him. Marsh reportedly resisted, leading to a physical altercation in the parking lot.

“During the struggle, Marsh attempted to flee, resulting in a brief foot pursuit. Deputy Ryan deployed his department-issued Taser after multiple warnings, successfully subduing Marsh. He was then taken into custody,” the post says.

The report says that following the arrest, Deputy Ryan located five unspent .22 caliber rounds in Landon Marsh’s pocket and retrieved a Marlin .22 caliber rifle loaded with 14 rounds and one spent cartridge from the vehicle. Dispatch later confirmed Landon is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms.

“EMS responded to the scene to evaluate Marsh for injuries sustained during the taser deployment, including an abrasion to his forehead. Marsh refused medical transport and was released to law enforcement custody,” the post says. 

Landon Marsh is currently in custody on an active arrest warrant and now faces the additional resisting and weapons charges. Bond for the new charges has been set at $100,000.

At the time of the incident, Landon was already out on bond for previous charges stemming from a SWAT call out on April 24. Deputies were attempting to arrest Marsh on multiple outstanding warrants, including failure to appear on charges of assault in the first-degree, armed criminal action, assault in the third degree and unlawful use of a weapon.