Kansas City Man Admits Guilt in Double Armed Robbery Spree

Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Two Armed Robberies

In a shocking turn of events in Kansas City, a local man has admitted to a spree of crimes that left many in the area on edge. Duke A. Yates, a 36-year-old resident of Independence, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to committing not just one, but two armed robberies, as well as illegally possessing a firearm.

The Robberies Unfold

Let’s rewind to that fateful night of December 25, 2023. Just as festivities were winding down and families were gathering around their holiday leftovers, Yates was up to no good. He brazenly held up a Quik Trip and a Walgreen’s—both situated conveniently in Independence—at gunpoint in the early hours, committing these crimes within a mere 10 minutes of each other! And here’s the kicker: it all went down around 2:30 a.m. That’s quite a late-night adventure, wouldn’t you say?

During these alarming robberies, authorities reported that Yates made off with between $500 and $700 in cash along with a dozen packs of cigarettes. Not exactly a monumental heist, but certainly a dangerous one that put employees and customers at serious risk.

The Chase

But hold onto your hats; the drama didn’t end there. Right after Yates pulled off his dual rollicking robberies, a vigilant police officer spotted him driving a white Ford F350 pickup truck. This wasn’t just any truck—it was the one with a missing headlight that matched descriptions given in the robberies. As soon as the officer saw Yates, who was driving eastbound on U.S. 40 Highway near Blue Ridge Cutoff, Yates took off like a bat out of hell.

The pursuit quickly escalated, with speeds soaring over 100 miles per hour. Yates showed no intention of stopping; he sped through stop signs and even took some serious risks by driving over medians. It was like something straight out of a movie!

A Wild Escape and Capture

The thrilling chase took a hair-raising turn when Yates slid his truck onto 23rd Street, facing the wrong way in the westbound lanes. In a desperate attempt to evade the police, he veered into oncoming traffic, putting not only himself but other drivers at risk. To make matters worse, he tried to eliminate any obstacles in his way, even aimed his truck at a marked police vehicle attempting to deploy stop sticks.

The chase eventually came to a screeching halt when Yates could no longer negotiate a turn at 24911 E. Truman Road. His truck went off-road, crashing into a power pole and breaking it right at the base. With no other options left, Yates exited the truck and fled on foot, but he didn’t get far. Officers apprehended him and encountered a bit of resistance as they took him into custody.

Evidence of Crime

Upon searching the stolen truck, law enforcement discovered a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. This discovery only complicates matters further for Yates.

According to federal law, he faces some serious time behind bars. He is looking at a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, and believe it or not, he could even end up with a life sentence if the court sees fit. The exact penalties will be decided based on advisory sentencing guidelines and various statutory factors.

What’s Next?

Now, we just have to wait for the sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled after the United States Probation Office completes a presentence investigation. This case has been in the capable hands of Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Gibson and the dedicated team at the Independence, Mo., Police Department.

The community of Kansas City is undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief knowing that action is being taken against Yates for his dangerous antics. It’s a clear reminder that crime doesn’t pay, and the wheels of justice will continue to turn!