Two people are in custody after an unusual police chase last week that started with a car parked illegally in a handicapped spot in Liberty.The Clay County Sheriff's Office said a deputy spotted an SUV parked in the handicapped spot of a large retail store on Thursday. The deputy recognized the vehicle as being involved in a robbery in Gladstone last month. And, the SUV was parked in a handicapped spot without the proper parking permit.The deputy spotted a woman leave the store and get into the SUV -- that's when he attempted to stop the vehicle in a traffic stop at MO-152 Highway and Evanston Avenue. The driver took off.Authorities said the driver immediately encountered heavy traffic on 152 Highway. In addition to running red lights and cutting off numerous drivers, the woman reportedly rammed a vehicle stopped at a red light at North Church Road, then drove over the vehicle's hood to escape law enforcement.Deputies said the occupant of that vehicle was frightened, but not hurt in the incident. Another deputy used spike strips, which the driver struck, while attempting to run south onto Interstate 35.The SUV lost a tire, forcing the driver to pull over on I-35 just north of Pleasant Valley Road. The driver and a passenger were both taken into custody.The Clay County Sheriff's Office said inside the vehicle, deputies found dozens of items stolen from the store where the deputy initially spotted the suspect vehicle, as well as from other stores.Authorities said both the driver and the passenger had multiple warrants out for their arrest for incidents ranging from theft to assault. A spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff's Office said deputies are continuing to investigate this incident, and others connected to it.Suspect information is not yet available as charges are pending.
Two people are in custody after an unusual police chase last week that started with a car parked illegally in a handicapped spot in Liberty.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office said a deputy spotted an SUV parked in the handicapped spot of a large retail store on Thursday. The deputy recognized the vehicle as being involved in a robbery in Gladstone last month. And, the SUV was parked in a handicapped spot without the proper parking permit.
The deputy spotted a woman leave the store and get into the SUV -- that's when he attempted to stop the vehicle in a traffic stop at MO-152 Highway and Evanston Avenue. The driver took off.
Authorities said the driver immediately encountered heavy traffic on 152 Highway. In addition to running red lights and cutting off numerous drivers, the woman reportedly rammed a vehicle stopped at a red light at North Church Road, then drove over the vehicle's hood to escape law enforcement.
Deputies said the occupant of that vehicle was frightened, but not hurt in the incident.
Another deputy used spike strips, which the driver struck, while attempting to run south onto Interstate 35.
The SUV lost a tire, forcing the driver to pull over on I-35 just north of Pleasant Valley Road. The driver and a passenger were both taken into custody.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office said inside the vehicle, deputies found dozens of items stolen from the store where the deputy initially spotted the suspect vehicle, as well as from other stores.
Authorities said both the driver and the passenger had multiple warrants out for their arrest for incidents ranging from theft to assault.
A spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff's Office said deputies are continuing to investigate this incident, and others connected to it.
Suspect information is not yet available as charges are pending.