After a five-hour manhunt and chase, police believe they have the man responsible in custody. Police say the man is believed to have stolen two vehicles and pointed a gun at police.
Stephen Lundemo, 36, was charged with second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, second-degree robbery, resisting arrest, two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle and armed criminal action.
Police had a stretch of 23rd Street near Noland Road shut down for six hours as law enforcement conducted their investigation in a car chase where shots were fired.
Thursday’s drama unfolded in Blue Springs before sunrise.
When officers were trying to pull over a stolen car near Adams Dairy Parkway and Coronado Drive, the driver wrecked, got out of the car and pointed a weapon at officers.
Those officers opened fire but missed the man who then ran across I-70 prompting a manhunt.
He eventually entered Nathan Struewe’s house near 20th and Duncan.
“I walk out of my room and he's in the next room by me just grabbing stuff. He sees me and tells me to, ‘Stop right there! Stop right there! Don't move,’ and I'm like, ‘Ok, I won't move, what do you need,’ he’s like give me your car keys, just give me a car keys I go in the room I grabbed the car keys and I hand them that,” Struewe said.
The thief asked for a glass of water before taking off.
It didn't take long for police to spot the second stolen car.
The high-speed chase went up Noland Road to 23rd Street where shots were fired, according to radio transmissions.
“I thought someone was hammering on the back door trying to get in and we came out and looked around the house as the police cars, rest of the police cars were coming down the road,” Jim Devasher, a witness, said.
Police surrounded the man’s car and forced him out.
Law enforcement told 41 Action News paramedics took the man to the hospital for a gunshot wound.
The suspect faces a slew of charges once he makes it out of the hospital
“It just doesn't make any sense, he gets more time, and gets into more trouble,” Josh Dyer, another witness, said.
In a statement Jackson County Prosecutor warns future criminals not to run from police:
“We’ve seen in recent days too many dangerous situations caused by people fleeing police. Let me be clear, fleeing from police will endanger innocent members of the community, law enforcement and the persons in the vehicle fleeing police.
You will not get away. Pull over, act responsibly. Do not endanger more lives attempting to avoid police.
If you flee, you will face additional charges, higher bond requests. Potential charges could include felony murder, if someone dies as a result of your conduct.”
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
