A St. Louis man who was the subject of a weekend manhunt in Shannon County faces a felony burglary charge after allegedly breaking into a home and eating a bag of chips.
Ryan D. Harman, 39, was arrested Saturday and is held in the Shannon County jail on $25,000 cash bond. Court records show that at the time of his arrest, Harman also had an active failure-to-appear warrant out of Texas County stemming from 2025 charges of felony aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended and careless and imprudent driving, both misdemeanors.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Shannon County Chief Deputy Timothy Edwards, deputies responded to a home invasion report at about 8:15 a.m. Friday after dispatch advised a homeowner was holding a suspect at gunpoint.
The homeowners told deputies they drove to their property after receiving a security camera alert. Upon arrival, they discovered a man sitting under their deck eating a bag of chips. The homeowner reportedly placed his hand on his firearm and ordered Harman to approach him. Harman initially complied, but fled on foot around the side of the house when informed that law enforcement was en route.
Edwards and another deputy cleared the house and found no signs of forced entry, though a bed appeared to have been laid on. Aside from the bag of chips found on the ground near the deck, nothing else was reported missing from the home.
Officers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, National Forest Service and Missouri Department of Conservation assisted the sheriff's office in identifying Harman by matching security footage with law enforcement and social media records.
Following his escape, the Shannon County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert warning Eminence-area residents that Harman was actively evading law enforcement. The alert advised residents to lock their homes and vehicles, keep children and pets indoors, and report suspicious activity.
Knowing Harman was familiar with the Area of Highway D, authorities concentrated search efforts in the region. The sheriff's office reported on Sunday Harman had been taken into custody between Highway D and Highway 106.
Harman has been charged with class D felony second-degree burglary. The case is being prosecuted by Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney William Seay. Court records indicate Harman had not retained legal representation as of press time, and an initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
Court records show Harman has prior felony and misdemeanor convictions in Shannon and Howell counties, including drug possession and driving while intoxicated.
