Charges filed after passenger trapped as chase crashed through Clinton garage

CLINTON, Mo. (KCTV) - A Warrensburg man has been charged after driving a stolen vehicle through a Clinton garage with a passenger trapped inside to Peculiar.

Henry County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Saturday, March 8, indicate that Blake A. Hyatt, 32, of Warrensburg, now faces a slew of charges, including kidnapping, following the dangerous chase of a stolen vehicle.

A probable cause statement filed by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office revealed that on Friday, law enforcement officials were notified by the Johnson County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office that a stolen vehicle may have been in their jurisdiction.

Investigators noted that the stolen 2002 Nissan Altima was found outside of a home near N. Wood St. As they attempted to approach the driver, later identified as Hyatt, he sped off into a private drive. As law enforcement officials again attempted to speak with Hyatt, he tried to speed off, but this time hit a parked car.

As law enforcement officials said they began to draw their guns due to Hyatt’s erratic driving, he threw the car in reverse and backed into a barbed wire fence. Hyatt then accelerated into the corner of a nearby garage and forced first responders to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. A female passenger could also be seen yelling.

Despite significant damage to the stolen vehicle, investigators said Hyatt sped south on Wood St. as he passed another patrol vehicle. It took the work of the Sheriff’s Office, the Peculiar Police Department, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to find Hyatt in Peculiar after the Nissan overheated.

After he attempted to run, this time on foot, law enforcement officials said Hyatt was taken into custody. He admitted he had “shot up” narcotics before the incident, which caused his poor judgment, but denied he had done anything wrong until the chase.

The female passenger also reportedly told investigators that she screamed at Hyatt to stop multiple times during the chase, but he would not let her out of the car.

As a result, Hyatt has been charged with resisting arrest, property damage, tampering with a motor vehicle and kidnapping. If convicted, he could face up to 22 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

As of Wednesday, March 12, Hyatt remains behind bars on a $25,000 bond. A mugshot is not available. A bond reduction hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 14.

No further information has been released.