12/14/2025
Update on Search for Nathan Strange.
Let me start from the beginning to clarify the events.
Nathan Strange had been staying at the Madison Inn Hotel. He walked across the street and allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol from a local business. Before employees were able to call the police, Mr. Strange had already left the area and made his way toward town, eventually entering the New Era Bank drive-up property.
At that time, one of my night-shift officers observed a suspicious male on the bank property while conducting routine patrol. The officer had no knowledge that a theft had just occurred. Doing his job, the officer made contact and asked the individual for identification. At that point, the suspect fled on foot.
The officer pursued the suspect from the bank property back toward the Madison Inn area, through multiple backyards and private residential properties. The suspect was last seen running toward the river through the Pine Castle Estates subdivision.
Additional officers responded to assist and conducted a coordinated search of the area. That is why we issued a Facebook post—to notify residents that officers would be present in yards and surrounding properties while actively searching for the suspect.
During the search, dispatch advised officers that Nathan Strange was a parole absconder.
As Chief of Police, it is my responsibility to inform the public when law enforcement activity may impact their neighborhood. What began as a suspicious-person encounter evolved into a confirmed theft investigation and the discovery that the suspect was a parole absconder. Public notification was necessary for transparency and community safety. We are still currently looking for suspect Nathan strange. If you have any knowledge of his whereabouts, please call 783-3660 and let the Fredericktown Police Department know..
If you have any further questions or concerns, I am always willing to address them.
Respectfully,
Eric Hovis
Chief of Police
Fredericktown Police Department
