The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is working with area police agencies to track down a subject who may have had plans to rob the Taco Bell in Columbia on Friday morning.

A deputy was serving papers in Columbia shortly after 10 a.m., when he observed a black Dodge Charger with green racing strip and temporary Illinois plate that was backed into a parking spot outside Taco Bell with a black male occupant inside who was looking around and acting suspiciously, Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said.

“It appeared to the deputy that he may have been casing the joint,” Rohlfing said.

A clerk inside the restaurant later told police that they believed the man’s behavior was odd.

The deputy watched the vehicle for a few minutes and then approached the driver, who appeared to reach for something under the seat, Rohlfing said. The deputy then pulled out his service weapon, after which the driver sped away — nearly striking the officer — and traveled north on Route 3 at a high rate of speed.

A brief chase ensued on Route 3 north to I-255 west into South St. Louis County before police terminated pursuit due to speeds that exceeded 90 miles per hour.

The vehicle was last seen on I-255 westbound near the Telegraph Road exit in South St. Louis County.

Police were able to obtain a partial number on the car’s temporary license plate and are checking with other agencies in an effort to gather information as part of an investigation.

Anyone with information that might help police in this investigation is asked to call 618-939-8651.