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Independence Man Faces Felony Charges After ATV Incident

Law enforcement chase involving an ATV in Independence

News Summary

A 27-year-old Independence man, Kendall S. Coleman, is facing serious felony charges after allegedly assaulting a KCPD officer during an ATV incident. On April 12, Coleman reportedly reversed his Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV into the officer, subsequently performing a wheelie over him during a police chase. Despite efforts by law enforcement to apprehend him, Coleman fled into Kansas, but was eventually identified through surveillance and cellphone data. The injured officer is recovering, while Coleman remains in custody as the case progresses.

Independence Man in Hot Water After Alleged ATV Incident with KCPD Officer

In a rather alarming turn of events, a 27-year-old man from Independence has found himself facing serious legal troubles after an incident that occurred on April 12. Kendall S. Coleman has been charged with three felony charges: first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and aggravated fleeing from a stop or detention. This whole saga unfolded just before 7 p.m. at the intersection of Truman Road and Main Street, where a group of ATVs and motorcycles was apparently causing quite a ruckus.

The Incident Unfolds

The situation escalated when a police officer attempted to pull Coleman over while he was riding a flashy black and lime green Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV. Coleman made a move that no one could have predicted—while the officer was trying to get him off his ride, he allegedly put the vehicle in reverse. This unexpected move sent the officer tumbling to the ground.

But things didn’t stop there. Instead of fleeing the scene, Coleman reportedly decided to perform a wheelie right over the officer! Now, you can imagine the chaos as this officer, still crouching on the ground, ended up with an ATV striking him in the face. The impact caused the officer to topple backward, and as if that wasn’t enough, the ATV remained in a wheelie position, ending up dropping its front wheels right on top of him!

After running over the officer with all four wheels, Coleman apparently made a hasty exit, driving off into the night like something out of a movie. Police responded quickly and began a search for him.

A Multi-State Pursuit

Officers located Coleman near the intersection of 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard shortly after he fled, but he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Allegedly, Coleman kicked off a police chase that took him into Kansas. It must have been quite a nail-biter for law enforcement as they temporarily lost sight of him during the high-speed pursuit.

However, it didn’t take long for authorities to track Coleman down again, this time in Kansas City, Kansas. Another pursuit ensued, and again, Coleman decided to drive in the wrong direction, weaving dangerously through traffic. The audacity of this man is remarkable—at one point, officers completely lost track of him again after multiple attempts to catch up. It seems Coleman has a knack for evasion!

Community Steps Up

Thanks to an anonymous tip, police were able to identify Coleman as the driver from that intense confrontation. Video surveillance corroborated his identity, showing him wearing the same clothes during subsequent purchases at a liquor store. Talk about being careless!

Further digging revealed that cell phone data placed Coleman at the scene of the incident right when it happened. To top it all off, this isn’t Coleman’s first run-in with the law. He has a prior criminal history, boasting six felony convictions, including serious charges related to the delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon.

Consequences for the Officer

The officer who encountered Coleman is facing serious repercussions, suffering from significant injuries to his head during the incident but was released from the hospital later on. The good news is that he is recovering, thanks to swift medical attention and perhaps a bit of luck. The Jackson County Prosecutor has highlighted the importance of community involvement in helping to unmask Coleman and hold him accountable.

What’s Next for Coleman?

As it stands, Coleman remains in custody, and although no court date has been announced yet, the charges he is facing could mean significant time behind bars if he is convicted. While many questions remain, one thing is clear: this situation has shaken the community and highlighted the challenges that our law enforcement faces regularly.

Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story as it reveals the dual narratives of community, law enforcement, and those who operate on the fringes of legality. Let’s hope for justice and safety as this case progresses.