New details have emerged in a lengthy multi-agency police pursuit that started in northeastern Kansas before affecting traffic on Interstate 29 in Platte County late on Tuesday, Jan. 12. According to a probable cause statement, Cory L. Singleton, 20, of Riverside, Mo. stole a 2008 Pontiac G6 outside of a Weston, Mo. residence earlier in the month. He fled from authorities in Doniphan County, Kan. when they tried to pull him over at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
The stolen vehicle crossed into Platte County shortly after the chase began, and local deputies joined in the pursuit. Singleton refused to pull over until the left front tire of his vehicle caught fire while still in motion.
According to a spokesman with the Platte County Sheriff’s Department last week, tire deflation devices were used once the vehicle made its way into Platte County.
The vehicle finally came to stop in the left-hand lane of southbound I-29 near Bethel Road and the 16-mile marker. The pursuit lasted about 45 minutes, originating in Seneca, Kan., according to court documents.
The suspect fled east on U.S. Highway 36 before turning south onto I-29 in Buchanan County. A check of the G6’s vehicle identification number confirmed it stolen out of Weston, Mo. some time between Monday, Jan. 4 and Wednesday, Jan. 6. The license plates on the car were registered to another vehicle and been reported stolen in Kansas City, Mo.
The owner of the car said she briefly met Singleton when her roommate had brought him to their apartment. The victim said she did not give him permission to drive the car.
During a police interview, Singleton said the victim gave him the car because she was behind on payments, which investigation showed to be untrue. He added that he found the license plates in the woods in Kansas City.
Singleton claimed he didn’t stop in Seneca, Kan. because he believed the stop to be unfounded. He currently has a suspended license in the state of Missouri.
Felony charges of tampering with a motor vehicle and feeling a lawful stop were filed against Singleton in Platte County on Wednesday, Jan. 13. He’s currently being held in lieu of a $25,000 cash-only bond at the Platte County Detention Center.