2 men charged after violent crime spree ends near Kansas City park
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A pair of men have been arrested and charged after a violent crime spree ended with a Kansas City building surrounded by law enforcement officials.
Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Tuesday, March 4, indicate that Christian Schaeffer, 19, and Willie Smalls, 21, both of Kansas City, have been charged in connection to a violent early-week crime spree.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City Police Department revealed that around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, law enforcement officials were called to an area restaurant with reports of a stolen vehicle.
When first responders arrived, they said they found a man who reported two men, later identified as Schaeffer and Smalls, approached him and pointed what he thought to be a firearm at him. The pair threatened him as they stole his belongings, entered his vehicle and sped off.
Around 12:45 p.m. on Monday, investigators said they were then called with reports of a separate strong-armed robbery. The victim in this case reported two men in a vehicle approached her and asked for directions before one reached out and grabbed her bag, which caused her to fall and hit her head.
Then, just after 1:10 p.m., law enforcement officials said they spotted the stolen vehicle near 77th and Troost Ave. When they attempted to stop the driver, however, he sped off. Officers lost sight of the vehicle as the suspects bailed. The car was found abandoned and running near 81st and Brooklyn Ave.
A short time after the chase, KD said a witness reported the two suspects had been inside a nearby building. The location was surrounded as law enforcement officials commanded the pair to exit. After about 5 minutes, they complied.
Both were taken into custody and charged with vehicle hijacking, stealing, harassment and robbery as a result. If convicted, they could face up to 41 years behind bars and be forced to pay a $20,000 fine each.
As of Friday, March 7, Schaeffer and Smalls remain behind bars on a $100,000 bond.
A bond review hearing has been scheduled for both defendants at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, with a preliminary hearing expected at 1 p.m. on April 2.
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