Police report chaotic, 120+ mph chase as teen jumps from stolen car, drugs found

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Independence Police Department was involved in a multi-city chase on Sunday as a man allegedly tried to escape arrest.

41-year-old Marcos Franco of Kansas City, Kansas, is facing three felony charges in connection to the incident, which started early on May 26, around 1:50 a.m.

An Independence police officer was initially called to E Kentucky Road and N Hardy Avenue in Sugar Creek on reports of shots fired.

Near that intersection, the officer said he saw a black Infiniti QX7 with no license plate that was running with its headlights on. The officer followed the SUV, and as soon as it crossed into Independence, he turned on his lights to pull it over, but said it took off.

Documents state that during the officer’s pursuit of the Infiniti, which was later confirmed to be stolen, Franco reached speeds as high as 124 miles per hour in a 65 miles per hour zone on Interstate 435.

The chase was long and included stretches on U.S. 24 Highway, Interstate 70, Noland Road, East State Route 350, Interstate 470 and Missouri Route 291. At times, the officer said Franco turned his headlights off, went through red lights and drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

When the SUV exited from I-470 onto Lakewood Boulevard, court documents state that a 17-year-old enger jumped out from the front seat. An officer stayed with the teen, but given that he is a minor, his identity is protected and it is unclear if he was involved in the incident or if juvenile charges have been filed.

On MO-291, the Infiniti’s enger-side tires deflated and reportedly threw up sparks and rocks for the remainder of the chase.

The chase ultimately ended in a residential part of Lee’s Summit. The officer said Franco drove anywhere from 30-73 miles per hour before he eventually lost control. Documents state that the officers tried to pin the SUV in, but Franco was able to escape before he lost control for a second time and was successfully pinned.

After initially refusing to exit, the officer reported that Franco climbed out of the Infiniti’s sunroof and was taken into custody at 2:22 a.m., just over half an hour after the incident began.

Officers said they found 5.5 grams of methamphetamine in a tin in Franco’s pocket, and the jail later found 0.71 grams of the drug loose in his pockets. Inside the car, 2.11 grams of methamphetamine were allegedly recovered along with other drug paraphernalia and handgun rounds and magazines but no gun.

During questioning, Franco reportedly said he was asked to pick the Infiniti up by someone he refused to name the week prior, and that he knew it was stolen. Investigators said he also itted restarting methamphetamine use the week prior, but denied firing any shots before the chase. He denied throwing a gun out of the SUV during the chase.

Franco is charged with three felonies, including aggravated fleeing a stop, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. He is in Jackson County custody with no bond allowed. His initial appearance in court is on May 27.

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