Clay County Woman Charged After High-Speed Pursuit

A Kansas City-area woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say a reported burglary at a home under construction in Liberty led to a high-speed pursuit through Clay County and into Kansas City.

Clay County prosecutors charged Brittany Hamilton on June 27 with second-degree burglary, stealing $750 or more, tampering with a motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing under Missouri’s Valentine’s Law.

According to police reports, Clay County sheriff’s deputies were called June 27 to a burglary in progress at a home under construction in Liberty. Investigators allege Hamilton was stealing windows from inside the garage before leaving the scene in a pickup truck.

A responding deputy later spotted the truck traveling south on Interstate 35 and activated emergency equipment. Police reports say Hamilton did not stop and instead fled at a high rate of speed, prompting a multi-agency pursuit.

Authorities said the pursuit continued southbound on I-35 past Missouri 152, Pleasant Valley Road and the I-435 junction, reaching speeds of about 100 mph. Near Northeast Vivion Road, the truck allegedly accelerated to approximately 110 mph while passing vehicles on the right shoulder.

The chase continued past Northeast Chouteau Trafficway, where police reports allege the driver again used the right shoulder and forced motorists to move out of the way. At Northeast Parvin Road, the Missouri State Highway Patrol took over as the primary pursuing agency as the pursuit crossed into Jackson County.

A short time later, Clay County dispatchers advised that the truck had been found on Genessee Street in Kansas City. Deputies responded to recover the vehicle and contacted Kansas City police, who were searching the area for the occupants.

A records check showed the truck had been reported stolen out of Kansas City. While deputies processed the vehicle, a Kansas City police officer arrived with Hamilton, who had been located and detained nearby. Police reports state that a witness identified Hamilton as the driver of the pickup truck.

Hamilton was taken into custody by deputies and transported to the Clay County Detention Center. The court issued an arrest warrant and set bond at $90,000.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Charges Filed After Break-Ins at Smithville Lake Park Buildings

Clay County investigators say three buildings at Smithville Lake in Clay County Parks were broken into and rummaged through on the same day last month, with tools, keys to heavy equipment and other items reported stolen. Investigators said the break-ins also caused significant damage to the facilities.

After the burglaries, deputies increased patrols in the area. Two nights later, at about 1:15 a.m., a deputy spotted a vehicle with broken tail lamps driving near the scene of the earlier crimes. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, investigators said the driver fled, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended on Mount Olivet Road near NE 132nd Street.

Deputies arrested the driver and searched the vehicle, where they said they found keys and a set of bolt cutters stolen from County Parks. Investigators also recovered what they described as burglary tools, including a pry bar, saw, slim jims used to access locked vehicles, pliers and a skull-shaped mask. Authorities said they also found additional evidence that could connect the suspect to crimes in other cities.

Aaron A. Quinn, 46, has been charged with resisting arrest by fleeing and possession of burglary tools. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be filed. Officials said theft and damage to public property affect the entire community, and they praised the deputies and investigators who worked to stop the crime pattern quickly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Kearney Police Foil Juvenile Burglary Plot, Three Arrested

A planned series of commercial burglaries in Kearney was thwarted this past weekend thanks to the swift actions of Kearney Police.

On Saturday, March 8, officers from the Criminal Investigations Unit and Patrol Division received a tip about a group of juveniles planning a string of burglaries in the area. As part of proactive patrol efforts, midnight officers were on the lookout when they spotted two individuals walking along Highway 33 at around 2 am. The suspects, dressed in all black with ski masks and carrying large bags, immediately fled on foot upon seeing the officers.

Following a brief search of the area, both juveniles were located and detained. In addition to their ski masks, officers found the suspects wearing socks over their shoes to conceal their footprints, as well as black gloves. One of the juveniles further revealed they had stolen their parent’s vehicle and parked it nearby as a "getaway" car.

Upon investigation, the vehicle was found occupied by a third juvenile, who had been waiting for the other two. Police contacted the parents of the minors involved, and the Clay County Juvenile Office was alerted. The case has now been forwarded to their office for further investigation.

No injuries were reported, and police continue to investigate the motives behind the planned burglaries.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.