Independence Community Awareness

04/23/2025

04/23/2025

Prosecutor Johnson announces charges against ATV driver who struck KCPD officer
For Immediate Release

April 23, 2025

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced charges against the ATV driver who struck a Kansas City Police Department officer earlier this month.

Kendall S. Coleman faces 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, and Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention. *

“We will not permit reckless driving and attacks on our law enforcement officers or any member of our community,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “I am proud our community came forward to help us reveal the identity of the defendant, allowing officers to apprehend him. If you have information on criminal activity, speak up. Your voice can make our streets safer and ensure those who harm our officers are held accountable.”

According to court records, Kansas City police were conducting a traffic violation stop of a group of ATVs and motorcycles at Truman Road and Main Street on April 12. During the stop, an officer attempted to remove the ATV driver, later identified as the defendant, from his ATV to place him into custody. The defendant reversed the ATV, causing the officer to fall to the ground. While the officer was crouched down, the defendant lifted his ATV into a wheelie and then dropped the front wheels of the vehicle onto the officer, running him over with all four tires. The defendant fled the scene.

Officers later located the defendant near 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard, but he fled again, eventually ending up on Highway I-35 where he was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic, weaving between lanes. Officers eventually lost sight of the defendant.

An anonymous Crime Stoppers TIP led to the identification and apprehension of the defendant.

The defendant is in custody.

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.

04/23/2025

04/23/2025

On 04/21/2025, Sugar Creek officers responded to the Dollar Tree located at 11416 E. US 24 Highway, Sugar Creek, Jackson County, Missouri on the report of shoplifting. Prior to arriving, Sugar Creek police dispatch provided officers with the suspect’s clothing and a vehicle description. Upon arrival, the officers located the suspect vehicle in front of the business parked, facing south. Officers reportedly observed Ruwart to be the sole occupant of the vehicle, occupying the driver’s seat. As officers were attempting to contact Ruwart at the vehicle, Ruwart reversed the vehicle into a Sugar Creek patrol vehicle. The suspect vehicle then rolled forward striking a cart corral in the business parking lot. As an officer was attempting to gain entry into the suspect vehicle through the passenger side door, the suspect again put the vehicle in reverse and struck the officers patrol vehicle a second time.

Ruwart then drove the vehicle through the parking lot behind the Dollar Tree and exited the parking lot westbound on US 24 Highway. Officers began pursuing the vehicle, activating emergency lights and sirens.

Here are the details on the locations and speeds of the pursuit:
Ruwart traveled westbound on US 24 Highway at speeds ranging from 80-90 miles per hour, disregarding red traffic signals and driving into oncoming lanes of traffic. Ruwart then exited from US 24 Highway onto Interstate 435 South. While on Interstate 435 south, Ruwart continued driving at speeds ranging from 80-100 miles per hour. Ruwart then exited from Interstate 435 south onto westbound I-70. Ruwart continued on westbound on I-70 at speeds ranging from 80-100 miles per hour. In the area of westbound I-70 and Prospect Avenue, KCPD deployed tire deflation devices which Ruwart struck with both front and rear passenger side tires causing them to deflate. In the area of westbound I-70 and Paseo, Ruwart attempted to exit from I-70 and lost control of the vehicle. Upon losing control of the vehicle, the vehicle began to skid sideways, striking a street light pole and causing the vehicle to roll. Ruwart was ejected from the vehicle, taken into custody and transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

Further information from court documents state a check of Ruwart’s criminal history revealed her to be a convicted felon out of Missouri for possession of a controlled substance. Ruwart also showed to be on supervision out of Johnson County Kansas for possession of fentanyl and a prior felony conviction for armed robbery out of Kansas City Kansas.

04/22/2025

Kansas City man sentenced to 23 years in fatal 2023 strangulation
For Immediate Release

April 22, 2025

Jackson County Prosecutor announced a Kansas City man was sentenced today in connection with a woman’s fatal strangulation in 2023.

Darion Hall pled guilty to one count of 2nd Degree Murder and a judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 4300 block of East 7th Street on March 14, 2023, and found a female victim in the yard. The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death as strangulation.

The day of the homicide, the defendant was observed driving a reported stolen auto. It was found abandoned near 7th and Norton, about two minutes from the victim’s residence. Surveillance video also captured the defendant at a drug store on Independence Avenue where he was involved in an attempted strong-arm robbery.

A witness saw a male, later identified as the defendant, near the victim after she was strangled. She described the defendant’s clothing, which matched the same clothing the defendant wore during the attempted robbery.

Detectives submitted to the crime lab the defendant’s clothing for testing. The lab reported the DNA collected from the defendant’s hoodie matched DNA from the victim.

04/22/2025

The upper half of this image is (1958?) an aerial photograph from the Jackson County Historical Society 'Noll Collection' facing north showing Oak Ridge Cemetery on Salisbury road, east of 291. The lower half of the image shows the athletic complex on the north side of Salisbury and the residential houses that came after the photo was taken.

04/22/2025

Grandview Man Charged after Toddler Fatally Shot Himself

Press Release from JCPO

"April 22, 2025

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced charges against a Grandview man after his toddler son shot and killed himself with his loaded firearm.

Ronald L. Lewis faces 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, a class C felony. If convicted, he could face three to ten years in prison.

“The death of this child is a heartbreaking tragedy and one that was entirely preventable,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “Fi****ms are one of the leading causes of death among children. Gun owners have a responsibility to ensure deadly weapons never fall into the hands of children. Properly securing fi****ms and using gun locks is not just a recommendation, it’s a matter of life and death. Gun owners will be held accountable when their carelessness leads to devastating tragedies like this one.”

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence on Nov. 2, 2024, on a reported shooting and were told that the two-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was later declared deceased at the local hospital.

The defendant told detectives he was sitting on the couch in the residence with the victim when he heard a single gunshot next to him and noticed the victim was shot in the head. The defendant told detectives he previously placed his loaded handgun under a pillow on the couch he and the victim were seated on.

The defendant is in custody on a $30,000 bond.

Gun Safety Recommendations:

- Use safes or lockboxes to keep unloaded guns. Ammunition should be locked away separately.

- Use gun locks – Children’s Mercy has free gun locks available at all their locations, no questions asked. Call (816) 234-1607. The Kansas City Police Department also offers free gun locks.

- Talk with your children about guns and teach gun safety.

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty."

04/22/2025

UPDATE: Leland has been safely located.

MISSING: Deering, Leland
White/Male // 74 years old // 5’9” // 130 pounds
Leland was last known to be in the area of E 59th St/ on 04/21/2025 around 4PM. Leland was last seen walking eastbound on E 59th St toward Blue Ridge Cutoff. He was wearing a green plaid shirt, blue jeans and grey tennis shoes.
Leland is in need of immediate medical attention.
If located, please contact 911 immediately.

04/21/2025

Police chase involving Sugar Creek ends in crash close to downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

04/21/2025

Charges Filed in Fatal Hit and Run in Kansas City

April 21, 2025

Felony charges have been filed against a Kansas City man in connection with what surveillance video shows was a deliberate fatal hit and run incident last week.

Anthony Milligan faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched near the 3700 block of East 51st Street on April 17 regarding a hit and run and found the victim in the street. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased a short time later.

The defendant called police shortly after the incident and said he ran over the victim with his car. He claimed the victim robbed him the previous day and he believed the victim was trying to rob him again. The defendant said the victim was pulling on his vehicle’s door handles, so he attempted to reverse his vehicle and accidentally ran over the victim.

Surveillance video showed the victim walking into a parking lot toward the defendant who was in his vehicle. As soon as the victim walked to the front of the vehicle, the defendant drove forward at the victim. The victim backed away onto a median on the street, and the vehicle drove onto the median at him. The video shows the defendant repeatedly driving at the victim as he tried to escape. When the victim attempted to take shelter in the grass, the defendant ran over the curb onto the grass and accelerated, striking the victim with the front of his vehicle. The footage shows the victim going under the vehicle and being dragged.

The defendant is being held on a $250,000 bond.

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.

04/21/2025

*** Mr Witmer has been located ***

The Moberly Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing person Douglas Witmer, 73 years old. Mr Witmer was last seen this morning leaving his son's house in Moberly at 1124 a.m. Mr Witmer was wearing Blue jeans, a dark long-sleeve shirt, and camo hat. Mr Witmer is believed to be walking around Moberly as he does not have access to a vehicle.

If located contact the Moberly Police Department 660-263-0346.

04/20/2025

Rain = Wrecks
Be safe out there!

04/19/2025

04/19/2025

Independence police conduct DWI saturation.

On 4/18/2025, fourteen officers from the Independence police department conducted a DWI saturation patrol. Here are the results:

· 70 vehicles stopped
· 74 citations issued
· 2 DWI arrests (one of which was a felony)
· 7 arrests made
· 1 vehicle pursuit. Driver arrested for felony fleeing. Passenger arrested for felony weapon violation

04/18/2025

Body pulled from Missouri River identified.

04/18/2025

WASHINGTON — A Kansas City resident, attending college in Boston, was arrested and made his initial court appearance today in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, to face federal charges related to an arson at a Tesla business in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to the criminal complaint, filed in the Western District of Missouri and unsealed today, Owen McIntire, 19, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of malicious damage by fire of any property used in interstate commerce.

“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”

“Crimes have consequences. The people behind these violent and dangerous attacks on private property will face decades in prison — we will not make deals and we will not negotiate,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“This is the second arrest this week of a suspect charged with targeting Tesla, more proof that the FBI will not stand for these destructive acts,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible. We will work with our partners at the Department of Justice to hold accountable anyone who commits such crimes. I commend our FBI teams in Kansas City and Boston for their work.”

“ATF’s Special Agents and forensic experts recovered and analyzed key evidence—including Molotov cocktails—used in this deliberate and dangerous arson attack,” said Acting Director Dan Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms, and Explosives (ATF). “This wasn’t vandalism — it was a violent criminal act. Thanks to the relentless work of ATF special agents, and our close coordination with the FBI and local law enforcement, we now have a suspect in custody. I am committed to ensuring ATF continues to stand on the front lines of public safety. ATF will not tolerate those who incite political violence in our communities.”

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, on March 17, at approximately 11:16 p.m., an officer with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department (KCMOPD) in the vicinity of the Kansas City (KC) Tesla Center observed smoke coming from a grey Cybertruck parked in the KC Tesla Center parking lot. The officer also observed an unbroken suspected incendiary device near the burning Cybertruck. KCMOPD recovered the unbroken incendiary device, also known as a Molotov cocktail. The fire spread from the Cybertruck to a second Cybertruck in the lot. The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the fire.

The Cybertrucks had sale prices of $105,485 and $107,485. Additionally, two charging stations were damaged by the fire, each of which is valued at approximately $550.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Foley and Trey Alford for the Western District of Missouri and Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

The FBI Kansas City and Boston Field Offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives, and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department are investigating the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

04/18/2025

On Thursday, April 17th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, as part of the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (WMICAC), conducted Operation 2 Highway.

Operation 2 Highway was a multi-jurisdictional effort to verify the accuracy of all information provided by registered s*x offenders in Cass County and to ensure they’re in full compliance as stated by State and Federal law, as well as following their
conditions of Probation Parole and Federal Probation.

During this operation, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies set out to check on 56 registered s*x offenders.

Operation 2 Highway resulted in four arrests.

This included the arrest of a s*x offender for felony possession of fi****ms, including one that was stolen. A second s*x offender was arrested for possession of Child S*xual Abuse Material (CSAM). A third offender was arrested for failing to register as a s*x offender. And, a fourth s*x offender was arrested for having active warrants in Cass County and other jurisdictions.

Aside from the arrests, a fifth s*x offender is now under federal investigation for possibly violating the S*x Offender Registration and Notification Act.

“We have successfully apprehended individuals who posed a serious threat to the well-being of our citizens. I commend the collaboration from numerous agencies in bringing these subjects to justice. We will continue to prioritize operations that Keep Cass County Safe," said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

The operation checked offenders in Creighton, Freeman, Garden City, East Lynne, Harrisonville, Lake Annette, Latour and West Line.

The Belton Police Department (WMICAC), Cass County Prosecutor’s Office, Harrisonville Police Department, Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Missouri Probation and Parole, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pettis County Sheriff’s Office (WMICAC), Sedalia Police Department (WMICAC), U.S. Secret Service - Kansas City Cyber Fraud Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Probation - Western District Missouri made this operation a success.

The WMICAC Task Force is spearheaded by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and consists of personnel from agencies within Cass, Johnson, Bates, Henry, Saline, Lafayette, and Pettis counties. WMICAC is an affiliate of MOICAC.

If you have any information about a non-compliant s*x offender please call the Cass County Sheriff's Office at (816) 380-5200.

You can also go to our website and leave a tip: https://cassmosheriff.org/online-tip-reporting/

Citizens may also report information on non-compliant offenders at: [email protected]

Information about s*x offenders required to report in Missouri can be found via our website: https://cassmosheriff.org/s*x-offender-registration-unit/