Kansas City, Mo. – One man has been charged with hijacking after a dramatic weekend incident where a pickup truck was stolen from a worker in the Kansas City area.
The accused, Joseph Sutgrey, 27, now faces legal consequences as details of the crime unfold.
The Incident
The Kansas City Police Department responded to a call at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, in the area of E. Truman Rd. and The Paseo. The report involved an armed robbery where three men allegedly attacked the driver of a gray Ford F-250, stealing the truck in broad daylight.
The victim, who was working and using a friend’s truck, told authorities that the suspects initially asked him for a ride, but he refused. The situation quickly escalated when one of the suspects entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away.
Acting fast, the victim leaped through the window, managing to shift the truck back into park. Unfortunately, he was punched multiple times by the assailants as the struggle continued.
The Attack
In the heat of the moment, a second suspect, later identified as Sutgrey, physically threw the victim to the ground, causing him to fall partially beneath the truck.
Miraculously, the man rolled away just in time, avoiding a dolly attached to the vehicle, which ran over his leg but spared him from more serious injuries. Eyewitnesses later claimed that Sutgrey also pointed a gun at the victim during the altercation.
The Chase
At 10:15 p.m. that same evening, officers spotted the stolen pickup near Truman and Hardesty Ave. When they tried to pull over the vehicle, Sutgrey, who was driving, attempted to flee, reaching speeds of 90 mph during a high-speed chase.
However, his efforts to evade law enforcement ended in failure when he crashed the truck into a pole during a sharp U-turn attempt. Following the crash, Sutgrey fled the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended after a short pursuit.
Police also detained the passenger at the scene, though Sutgrey remained the focus of the investigation.
The Arrest and Charges
Following his arrest, Sutgrey admitted to throwing the victim out of the truck but denied brandishing a firearm. Despite not being positively identified in photo lineups by either the victim or witnesses, Sutgrey was charged with vehicle hijacking.
Court documents revealed that Sutgrey had been on probation at the time for unrelated offenses, including fraudulent credit card use and theft in Platte County. His legal troubles worsened as a result of this new crime.
As of Wednesday, Sutgrey remains in jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond. His first court appearance took place on Monday, Sept. 9, and additional hearings are scheduled for Sept. 17 and Oct. 9.
Related News:
- The Louisiana House Advances Proposals Pertaining To The Death Sentence And Juvenile Crime Records
- Missouri Man Sentenced for 11 Years for Threatening Judge with Racist Messages
Legal Proceedings Ahead
The next step in Sutgrey’s legal journey will be a bond review hearing, where the court will determine whether his current bond amount should be changed.
A preliminary hearing to assess the evidence against him is also on the docket. Until then, Sutgrey remains behind bars, awaiting his fate.