Deputies arrest missing man | Crime

A man who police say told 911 that people were trying to kill him is now safe and sound behind bars.

Investigators say around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Independence County Sheriff's Department received several 911 calls from Shawn Michael Chance, 27, of Oil Trough.  He claimed his truck was stuck in a field, but he didn't know where.

According to the incident report, Chance also told dispatchers there were people trying to kill him and if he got out of his truck they would shoot him.

Nearly 12 hours later the truck was found in a field east of Brown Lake Road.  But Chance was nowhere to be found, according to the report.

A few hours later, at 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, deputies were called to a home in Bradford where they say they found Chance passed out on a couch. 

The woman told investigators she heard Chance "screaming outside" and let him in.  She said his clothes were wet and he was cold, according to the report.  The woman said she fed Chance and then called the sheriff's office.

While checking Chance for weapons deputies say they found a pill bottle containing clonazapam, a Schedule 3 narcotic. 

The arresting officer says Chance claimed the drug was his "medication."  He also told the officer that "he had been taking drugs earlier and hadn't eaten anything in two days," according to the report.

Chance was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, communicating a false alarm, public intoxication (drugs) and possession of a controlled substance.

He's due in court on Wednesday, March 7.

Photo provided by Independence County Sheriff's Department.