Excelsior Springs, MO — A 2016 Dodge Charger SRT “Hellcat” was stolen from Heartland Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram in Excelsior Springs on Monday, June 10, around 5:00 PM. The vehicle theft involved an armed suspect who managed to elude initial police pursuit and reach speeds of up to 169 mph during the getaway, according to the vehicle’s monitoring system.
Ken Keith, Sales Manager at Heartland, reported minimal exterior damage to the vehicle but significant interior damage as the thief attempted to remove the built-in GPS tracking device. “The thief did a lot of damage to the interior. It was such a senseless act,” Keith stated.
ESPD posted a video of the suspect’s getaway attempt on their YouTube Channel.
Lt. Ryan Dowdy of the Excelsior Springs Police Department provided details on the incident. “We received a call about 5:00 PM regarding an armed robbery at the Heartland Dodge dealership,” Dowdy said. “The report indicated that a masked man had stolen the Dodge Charger at gunpoint and fled west on Jesse James Road. Due to public safety concerns, the pursuit was terminated.”
The vehicle was later found abandoned near Liberty High School. “Liberty officers responded to multiple calls and found the vehicle,” Dowdy continued. “Using security camera footage, they traced the suspect to a nearby apartment complex, where a K-9 unit successfully tracked him down.”
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Javon Baker, was taken into custody without incident and held until Excelsior Springs officers arrived to transfer him. Baker faces several felony charges, including Robbery – 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest.
Baker’s bond has been set at $150,000, with conditions including GPS monitoring prior to release, weekly bond supervision, and no contact with the victims or witnesses. He will be transferred to the Clay County Detention Center and remain there until he posts bond or appears before a judge.
It is still unclear whether this theft is tied to the recent carjackings and thefts in Kansas City. “We believe Baker had assistance and are continuing our investigation,” Lt. Dowdy concluded.
The vehicle has since been returned to Heartland and the dealership is cooperating fully with authorities as the investigation proceeds.
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