MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop A, 504 SE Blue Parkway, Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Collin M. Stosberg
(816) 622-0800 ext. 259
A2011-50
August 31, 2011

EMPHASIS: Patrol Apprehends Carjacking Suspect

On August 31, 2011, at approximately 11:08 a.m., a carjacking occurred at a grocery store in Holden, Missouri. At approximately 12:00 p.m., two Missouri state troopers located the suspect and the vehicle, a gray 2004 Dodge Dakota, as it was traveling westbound on Interstate 470 at Blue Ridge Boulevard, in Kansas City, Missouri. Troopers followed the suspect vehicle as it exited at Blue Ridge and traveled northbound toward Bannister Road. The suspect, who was later identified as Justin D. Parker, 37, of Raytown, Missouri, abruptly turned into a parking lot and struck a fence. Troopers were behind the vehicle with their emergency equipment activated. As the troopers exited their patrol vehicle, the suspect vehicle backed toward them almost striking one of the troopers. The troopers fired several rounds before Parker fled again in the vehicle behind a nearby business. Parker abandoned his vehicle a short time later and fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Troopers saturated the area and located Parker behind the CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Blue Ridge Boulevard and Bannister Road. The investigation revealed Parker, who was not injured, fled into the CVS store and stole alcohol before attempting to carjack another victim in the CVS parking lot. A trooper in the area observed Parker in the parking lot and took him into custody without further incident. Parker was arrested for assault on a law enforcement officer, stealing a motor vehicle, an active felony warrant for car theft issued by probation and parole, felony driving while intoxicated, and other traffic-related charges. Parker was transported to the Lee's Summit Police Department for processing.

The charges for which Parker was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Members of the Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control are investigating the shooting incident.


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