Two Arrested in High Speed Pursuit

On 5/18/15 the Butler Police Department received information regarding a stolen 2013 Audi that was in the Butler area. The vehicle was seen leaving the city on Rice Road. A Bates County Deputy saw the vehicle returning to the City of Butler on 52 Highway at Interstate 49 Highway. The Deputy activated his lights to stop the vehicle at the 52 and 49 intersections. The vehicle then pulled to the side of the road until the Deputy exited his patrol vehicle. When the Deputy exited the patrol vehicle, the driver of the stolen Audi took off and traveled north on Interstate 49.

The Deputy gave chase north on I49. Information was then provided by Kansas Authorities that the vehicle was taken during a residential burglary and that the driver was a documented violent gang member of the “Satan’s Disciples”. The driver of the stolen Audi had a long criminal history to include weapons violations, thefts and aggravated assaults. Additional units from Butler Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol joined into the pursuit. A request was sent to the Archie Police Department to deploy spike strips at Archie. The Audi was able to avoid the spike strips at Archie but was subsequently spiked north of Archie by another unit. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office also spiked the subject just south of Harrisonville. After the second spike strips the Audi then had blown the two front tires but continued to travel north on I49. During the pursuit the driver was observed opening his door and dumping what appeared to be a white powder and at one point tossed what was believed to have been a gun.

The Audi exited off at the Commercial Street exit in Harrisonville and continued north on Commercial Street. The Audi then made a turn in behind the CVS Pharmacy and attempted to exit onto Mechanic Street. Due to not having any traction on the front tires the car slid across the road into the curb of the Price Chopper parking lot. Deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Police Officers from the Harrisonville Police Department and the Archie Police Department converged onto the vehicle to take the subject into custody.

The Driver was transported by ambulance to the Cass County Medical Center for treatment from a Police K9 bite. The female was transported to the Medical Center for abdominal pains believed to have been caused by the car striking the curb. After both subjects were released from the hospital they were transported to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Both subjects, who are identified below, were transferred to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and are currently still in custody.

Michael S Rojas (DOB 11/11/1974) of Kansas City, MO was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance except 35 grams or less of Marijuana, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest/Detention/Stop by Fleeing creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person. His bond was set at $1,000,000.00 cash or surety.

Michael Rojas

Angela M Gautieri (DOB 12/13/1971) of Kansas City, MO was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance except 35 grams or less of Marijuana. Her bond was set at $25,000.00 cash only.

Angela Gautieri

After the two subjects were in custody the Deputies from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and Archie Police Officers returned to the Archie area and walked the median from Archie to 7 highways in an attempt to locate the contraband that was thrown from the vehicle.

Two Arrested in High Speed Pursuit