Man charged with over a dozen felonies in KC carjacking, police chase that shut down I-70
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A Kansas City man has been charged with more than a dozen felonies in connection with a carjacking and shooting that led to a police chase on Interstate 70, according to court records.
Jason Keith, 39, is charged with five counts of armed criminal action, vehicle hijacking, two counts of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, four counts of first degree assault or attempt, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Keith also faces charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in connection with another armed robbery at a liquor store in January, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
Officers with the Kansas City Police Department met with the victim of a carjacking at a car dealership in south Kansas City on Feb. 12. The victim told police he observed a man who matched the description of Keith walk past him as he exited a Nissan Rogue.
According to a police affidavit, the victim told police that Keith allegedly said, “I don’t want to kill you man, just give me the key fob.”
Keith then allegedly tapped the barrel of a rifle to the victim’s chest, took the key fob and left.
Police identify suspect connected to other robberies
After speaking with witnesses, detectives recognized a pattern in the robbery behavior exhibited by the suspect, police said in the affidavit.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the robberies and spoke to other law enforcement, eventually leading to a positive identification, the affidavit said.
Officers conducting an area search for the stolen Nissan Rogue observed the vehicle at a gas station. When they attempted a felony car check, the Nissan Rogue fled and eluded officers for approximately 2.6 miles, driving into oncoming traffic in snowy conditions, the affidavit said.
Officers were advised to discontinue the pursuit due to weather, the affidavit said. The driver of the vehicle appeared to be Keith, police said in the affidavit.
Second police chase leads to arrest
Later that afternoon, an off-duty officer who knew of the car jacking observed the vehicle parked near East 11th Street and Elmwood Avenue. Police were notified and attempted to contact Keith, the affidavit said. Keith then allegedly brandished a rifle and fired two rounds in the direction of the officers, according to court documents.
No one was injured, and Keith allegedly fled in the Nissan Rogue. Another chase ensued that that lasted approximately five miles and shut down part of I-70 in Kansas City, police said in the affidavit.
Officers utilized a tactical vehicle intervention to stop the Rogue. Keith allegedly initially ignored verbal commands to exit the vehicle and police used bean bag rounds to subdue him, court records said. Keith then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
At the time of his arrest, Keith had warrants for two active felony warrants, according to court documents: Felony theft out of Kansas Bureau of Investigation with a $30,000 bond, and a felony second degree burglary warrant out of Jackson County.
In a probable cause statement, police said Keith is a convicted felon and is prohibited from carrying a firearm.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
