Clay County Most Wanted Suspect Apprehended

Eric E. Frazer

Deputies arrested their Most Wanted suspect Friday evening, which led to an assault on a Sheriff’s Office canine and multiple deputies requiring medical attention.

Deputies had been trying to take 54-year-old Eric E. Frazer into custody since December 2025, when he failed to appear in court for drug trafficking charges. He also failed to appear for a Valentine’s Law charge for fleeing a lawful stop. In just the last month, he fled from deputies two additional times. The Sheriff’s Office placed him on its Most Wanted list on April 22.

Investigation revealed Frazer was at a relative’s home in the 16800 block of Ragsdale Road at about 6 p.m. May 1. The relatives exited the home and allowed deputies to go inside to apprehend Frazer. Deputies deployed a drone for an initial search of the house, and after seeing nothing, went inside with K9 Argos. Argos directed them to a bathroom that had an opening to the attic. The drone showed Frazer hiding in the attic, but he refused to come out. Deputies did not know whether he was armed. After several warnings to Frazer, K9 Argos went into the attic to assist with the apprehension.

Frazer fought Argos, lying on top of him and forcing his head into the sheetrock, then pulling hard on the leash around his neck, causing the leash line to break. Fearing for everyone’s safety, deputies in the living room below cut a hole in the ceiling to get Argos and Frazer out. Argos fell through, with one deputy able to catch him just enough to break his fall. Deputies then pulled Frazer down. After being treated for his bite wounds at the hospital, Frazer is now in custody at the Clay County Detention Center with no bond. In addition to his original warrants, Frazer is now charged with:

• Felony aggravated fleeing a stop

• Felony resisting arrest

• Misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement animal

• Four misdemeanor charges of assault on law enforcement

Additional charges may be filed as investigation continues.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office states this is the first time they have filed a charge under Max’s Law, which became effective in Missouri in August 2024. The law makes it a crime to injure or kill a police animal.

K9 Argos’ handler immediately took him to Long Veterinary Hospital to be evaluated for injuries and treated for inhaling insulation. Four deputies also had to be evaluated and treated at the hospital for various minor injuries sustained during the apprehension.  

High-Speed Chase Leads to Felony Charge

Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson

Clay County Prosecutors filed charges on April 20, against Reginald Lampkin Jr. for the Class D Felony of Aggravated Fleeing. This charge carries a possible sentence of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The incident began in Liberty, MO, when Lampkin allegedly ran a red light at high speed and nearly hit another vehicle while driving a white Mazda CX9. After officers tried to stop him, Lampkin reportedly slowed down but then sped away, leading police on a 13-minute chase that stretched across Liberty, Kansas City, and Riverside. The pursuit covered 23 miles and reached speeds of 102 MPH.

Police reports indicate that Lampkin drove recklessly, weaving through traffic and ignoring red lights. The chase ended on Interstate 635 near the Kansas state line, where Lampkin allegedly abandoned his car and ran across busy highway lanes. Officers say he ignored commands to stop but was taken into custody after an officer used a Taser.

The Court has set Lampkin’s bond at $100,000. Authorities thanked the Liberty, Riverside, and Missouri State Highway Patrol departments for their teamwork during the investigation.

Officials emphasized the importance of stopping when signaled by law enforcement to keep everyone safe. The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office says it is committed to seeking justice through legal proceedings.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Prosecutor Files 76 Cases Under Valentine’s Law in First Year

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson

Nearly a year after the implementation of Valentine’s Law, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office reports that 76 cases have been filed under the new statute, averaging one case every four days since it took effect on August 28, 2024.

Valentine’s Law, named in honor of Detective Antonio Valentine—who was killed during a high-speed pursuit in St. Louis County—targets individuals who flee from law enforcement in a motor vehicle at high speeds or in a manner that poses a substantial risk of death or serious injury. The law classifies such offenses as Class D felonies, but the charges escalate to a Class B felony if someone is injured and a Class A felony if someone is killed as a result of the pursuit.

In the first eleven months of the law’s enforcement, five defendants have been sentenced, with prison terms ranging from three to ten years. Of those, four were involved in vehicle crashes during their attempts to escape, while one was apprehended after police used tire deflation devices.

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson emphasized the serious risks posed by fleeing suspects. “It is unacceptable for someone to endanger our community and law enforcement officers in an attempt to escape a traffic stop,” Thompson said. “Not only do they put innocent lives at risk — they only make their situation worse.”

Under Valentine’s Law, convictions carry a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison, with no eligibility for probation or parole.

“Our goal is to hold offenders accountable and send an unmistakable message that dangerous criminal conduct carries serious consequences,” Thompson added. “I commend Missouri state officials for providing us with an additional tool to keep Clay County safe. Public safety requires all levels of government working together.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Man Faces Charges After High-Speed Chase and Standoff

A Kansas City man is facing serious charges after a high-speed chase and armed standoff brought traffic to a halt on Interstate 35 near Liberty on Friday, June 27. The dramatic incident ended with the suspect falling asleep during a standoff and being taken into custody.

Clay County prosecutors have charged 65-year-old Larry M. Finley with aggravated fleeing a stop under Missouri’s Valentine’s Law

Clay County prosecutors have charged 65-year-old Larry M. Finley with aggravated fleeing a stop under Missouri’s Valentine’s Law, which increases penalties for dangerous behavior during police pursuits. According to court records filed Saturday, June 28, the charges stem from a chaotic series of events that unfolded the previous day and endangered multiple drivers.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident began around 2:45 p.m. on June 27, when deputies attempted to stop a gray Chevrolet Impala near Missouri Highway 69 and Lightburne Street. The license plate appeared to have been tampered with, raising suspicions.

When officers pulled behind the vehicle, Finley allegedly swerved into another lane, attempting to block law enforcement by using other vehicles as cover. Deputies initiated a traffic stop, but the situation quickly escalated.

Finley stopped briefly near Nebo Hills Road, where he claimed to have recently purchased the vehicle. He began to retrieve the car title but abruptly shoved the document back into a red backpack and refused to provide further paperwork. Moments later, he shifted the car into drive and fled the scene, prompting a high-speed chase.

According to the sheriff’s office, Finley reached speeds nearing 120 mph in zones marked 45 mph. He reportedly ran a red light and narrowly missed multiple vehicles. Deputies deployed tire deflation devices near I-35 and Lightburne Street, which were partially successful, but Finley continued to drive with damaged tires unraveling into traffic.

The pursuit briefly paused near Missouri 291 Highway, where a female passenger exited the vehicle. However, Finley sped off again, running over a second set of spike strips.

Citing the increasing threat to public safety, law enforcement officers performed a tactical maneuver to disable the vehicle. Once stopped, Finley refused to exit and instead held a knife to his own neck, prompting a full shutdown of I-35 in both directions. The standoff led to multiple traffic crashes in the surrounding area as drivers attempted to navigate the gridlock.

The Sheriff’s Office said the passenger cooperated with authorities and revealed that Finley had multiple outstanding warrants and was determined not to be taken “without a fight.” She also disclosed that they had been on their way to deliver narcotics north of the Missouri River.

Eventually, after several hours, Finley fell asleep inside the vehicle. Law enforcement safely apprehended him without further incident.

Finley now faces prosecution under Valentine’s Law, which was enacted to impose harsher penalties on individuals who endanger others during police pursuits. Additional charges related to drug trafficking and resisting arrest may also follow as the investigation continues.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.