ATV theft, police pursuit ends behind bars

A police pursuit involving a stolen ATV ended with Paul Tullock, Jr., 36, of Bismarck getting a ride to the county jail.

Tullock has been charged with assault in the second degree – special victim (a law enforcement officer), tampering with a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident, and exceeding the posted speed limit by 20-25 mph. Tullock’s bond is set at $30,000. 

Bismarck Police Chief Steve Poole said the four-wheeler was stolen from a residence on Arnoldi Road in the Doe Run area on Friday. According to Poole, someone followed the stolen ATV along Highway 221 and then onto Route NN.

Poole said that they anticipated the driver of the ATV might head toward Bismarck and so he and his officers set up a perimeter on the southern city limits at Route NN. Deputies from the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department were in pursuit of the ATV from Doe Run along 221.

Tullock did in fact drive the ATV from Route NN to Route N toward Bismarck.

Poole said when the ATV reached the city limits his officers activated emergency lights and attempted to stop the driver. Tullock ignored the lights and sirens and continued along Route N and then onto Cedar Street. In the 1300 block of Cedar Street Tullock went off-road and proceeded along the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

Poole said the Tullock then drove onto Route BB at the intersection of the highway and railroad tracks. He drove off the road again a short distance later and the crashed the ATV. He fled on foot into the nearby wooded area.

Poole said that his department and deputies set up a perimeter around the area and requested a K-9 unit. A short time later, the Farmington Police Department arrived on the scene with their K-9 unit and the dog and handler were able to track Tullock.

Poole said Tullock was found bedded down in a wooded area and was taken into custody and transported to the St. Francois County Jail. 

Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com.