NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just after midnight on Monday a QuikTrip store clerk alerted an off-duty, but uniformed police officer that a man was stealing taquitos. When the officer followed Christopher Kirby out to his car, Kirby allegedly started a chain of evasive events that led to serious charges.
Kirby, 27, has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and one count of resisting a lawful stop. He’s been accused of nearly hitting two police officers with his car and leading police on a lengthy chase following the incident at QT in the 1000 block of Armour Road.
According to court documents, as the off-duty officer initially approached Kirby and his car at QT, Kirby slammed the door shut and backed out of the parking space, nearly striking the officer before he raced away from the gas station.
Kirby was found by responding officers in the 1000 block of E. 25th Avenue where NKCPD officers ordered him to surrender. A probable statement describes that Kirby started the car and backed out of the driveway quickly and directly at an officer. The officer was able to get out of the way, but Kirby allegedly sped away again, starting a police pursuit.
After NKCPD officers lost sight of Kirby near I-70 and Blue Ridge Blvd., they discontinued their pursuit and KCPD picked up the pursuit, aided by a police helicopter. They eventually arrested him in the 5100 block of N. Denver Ave. after using a ‘pursuit termination device.’
When Kirby’s car was towed, a police report states that officers found drug paraphernalia and an open container of alcohol in his car. While he reportedly did not actually hit either officer, court documents state that he placed both “in apprehension of immediate serious physical injury,” leading to both assault charges.
Kirby is currently in the Clay County Detention Center and is held on a $50,000 bond. Online court records don’t currently indicate when he’s set to appear in court regarding these charges.