KC man accused of stealing RideKC bus pleads guilty to assaulting police officer
A Kansas City man accused of stealing a RideKC bus earlier this year has pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer as part of a plea agreement that resulted in theft-related charges being dismissed, according to court records.
Shahid R. Pratt, 50, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court to one count of second-degree assault of a special victim. In exchange for the plea, court documents show prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of stealing a motor vehicle and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle.
Jackson County Judge Bryan E. Round accepted Pratt’s plea, finding him guilty and sentencing him to six years in prison, according to court documents.
The plea came as Pratt was scheduled to stand trial on the charges next month. The trial has been canceled as a result of the plea.
According to court documents, Pratt allegedly stole the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority bus the morning of March 2. The bus’ surveillance video reportedly showed Pratt forcing the driver’s side window open and climbing in through the window while the bus was stopped at a bus stop near East 75th Street and Prospect Avenue.
Pratt then allegedly locked the bus from the inside and drove away on Prospect. No one else was inside the bus, according to court documents. The bus’ emergency brake system activated near East 77th Street and Prospect, bringing the bus to a stop.
Kansas City police officers responded about 6:20 a.m. to the area, and arriving officers found Pratt in the driver’s seat of the empty bus. Pratt allegedly refused multiple commands from officers to exit the bus. As officers attempted to unlock the bus’ doors, Pratt allegedly reached though the driver’s window and struck an officer with metal bar.
Officers used a Taser and pepper spray to subdue Pratt while arresting him, according to court documents.
