UPDATE March 26: Colby Towles’ case appeared in Olive Branch Municipal Court Tuesday morning and a total bond of $1 million was set for him. Charges against Towles have now been upgraded to two counts of attempted murder on a police officer and conspiracy. Towles remains in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center in Hernando.
The million dollar bond should send a message to those who try to harm our officers that you cannot commit these crimes and then go home to eat with your family at night. We will lock you up and keep you locked up with the highest bond possible.
District Attorney Matthew Barton
UPDATE March 14: The DeSoto County District Attorney’s office announced on Thursday night that Colby Towles had been extradited from Missouri and was back in DeSoto County. Towles is being held on a number of charges and a total bond amount of $525,000, according to DeSoto County Jail information.
UPDATE March 12: District Attorney Matthew Barton confirmed that Sarah Skriver, a 33-year-old reported girlfriend of Colby Towles, was arrested and is being held in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center on charges of being an accessory after the fact in connection with Monday’s incident.
Skriver is being held on a $150,000 bond.
Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams, Police Chief Bill Cox, and District Attorney Matthew Barton posted a video on Friday, Mach 15 about the incident and arrest.
EARLIER INFORMATION
Sarah Skriver (DeSoto County Jail photo)
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist in the investigation of an officer-involved shooting that involved an Olive Branch police officer early Monday morning, March 12, who has since been captured in Missouri.
Police say officers were making a traffic stop on state Highway 302 near the intersection with the Craft-Goodman Frontage Road about 1:45 a.m.
During the stop, a motorcycle approached and the driver started yelling at the officers. The motorcycle left the scene westbound, but then made a U-turn and returned on eastbound Highway 302.
It was when the motorcycle driver reached the officers he opened fire on the officers, police said. One officer did return fire on the driver, who then left the scene eastbound on Highway 302.
Westbound lanes of Highway 302 in the area of the shooting were closed during the investigation but were re-opened about 5 a.m. Monday morning.
No officers were injured and the suspect in the shooting is now being sought by police
Image of suspect
This suspect was later identified as Colby Alan Towles, 34, of Olive Branch. Warrants were issued for Towles for two counts of aggravated assault on an officer. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
The following images were provided by the Olive Branch Police Department.
Police Monday night announced that Towles had been found and captured in Missouri by U.S. Marshals. A Springfield television station reported that he was captured near a hotel and had a child with him, who is safe. Police said detectives from Olive Branch were on their way to Missouri to begin the process of having him extradited to face charges in regards to the officer involved shooting.
