PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Suspect in Custody following Bates County Pursuit
Public Information Officer:
January 20th, 2022
Major Kevin Tieman,
Cass County Sheriff’s Office
816-380-8615
This morning Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and Harrisonville Police assisted the Bates County Sheriff’s Office with the pursuit of a wanted fugitive. The pursuit ended north of Harrisonville on 291 Highway when the driver crashed his vehicle.
Around 6:30 am the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were sent to the area of I-49 and Archie to assist the Bates County Sheriff’s Deputy pursuing a vehicle. The Bates County Sheriff’s Deputy received a call in reference to a careless driver driving approximately 100mph on the interstate. The deputy later observed the vehicle around 52 highway and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle fled northbound at over 100 mph.
The pursuit continued northbound and additional units were called in to assist. The pursuit continued to 7 highway in Cass County where the driver exited and traveled westbound and then into Harrisonville on Commercial Street. During the pursuit, the driver almost struck several vehicles including a patrol car head-on. The Bates County Deputy attempted to end the pursuit and conducted a PIT maneuver. He was able to spin the vehicle out but the driver maintained control of the vehicle and continued to flee.
Cass County Sheriff’s Office took over lead of the pursuit after the PIT failed. The pursuit continued north on highway 291 where the vehicle left the roadway, overturned and came to rest upside down in a creek. The driver and passenger fled the vehicle. Cass County Deputies and Harrisonville Police Officers took both into custody.
The driver was transported by ambulance to a Kanas City area hospital. The passenger refused treatment at the scene. The vehicle came back as a rental vehicle that was failed to be returned. The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene.
The Bates County Deputies Patrol car received moderate damage and was towed from the scene.
The driver, Kent E. Huggins Jr, 42, is currently wanted on a Parole Violation warrant and a Cass County warrant for Resisting Arrest by Fleeing. The passenger was released pending charges.
“A cooperative effort with the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and Harrisonville Police Department has taken another career criminal off the streets,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.
