A lengthy investigation ended with charges filed against a Platte City man for allegedly fleeing from cops in his vehicle, which he crashed but then drove from the scene leaving behind debris that included a large amount of methamphetamine.
A probable cause statement gives the details of an early morning incident on Oct. 6, 2015. A Platte City Police officer attempted to pull over a black SUV for an inoperable headlight just after midnight in the area of Second Street and Highway 92, but the driver ignored the emergency lights and siren.
A lengthy investigation ended with charges filed against a Platte City man for allegedly fleeing from cops in his vehicle, which he crashed but then drove from the scene leaving behind debris that included a large amount of methamphetamine.
Fleeing west on Highway 92, the SUV eventually went north on Highway 371, and the driver apparently lost control and left the roadway near the junction with Highway 273. No speeds were given in court documents, but the vehicle was observed to roll several times off the right side of the roadway.
Due to wet road conditions, the pursuing officer went past the accident scene and returned, only to find the vehicle gone.
A search of the crash site found broken glass, a $10 bill, a Craftsman drill with battery, a sound system amplifier and a tool box with tools inside. Two different bags containing a total of about 1½ pounds of a white crystalline subject that field tested positive as methamphetamine were recovered.
A crime lab test later confirmed that initial result.
Hours later, authorities recovered an SUV matching the suspect vehicle with damage consistent from a rollover wreck in rural Platte County near Amity Road and Highway 152. Evidence recovered linked the vehicle to Robert Dane King, 27, of Platte City.
A search of King’s Facebook page showed pictures of him with a black Chevrolet SUV with a license plate matching the one of the vehicle that fled from authorities. An associate also revealed in a police interview that King had told her he wrecked his truck and “rolled it four times,” according to court documents.
Authorities also searched the vehicle and found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun wedged between the door post and the driver’s seat.
On Tuesday, April 19, the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office filed a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute against King. He also faces a misdemeanor for fleeing a lawful traffic stop.
A warrant for King’s arrest has been issued.