RAYTOWN, Mo. (KCTV) — A 35-year-old Independence man faces multiple charges after an early-morning kidnapping in Raytown that led to his arrest, according to Jackson County Circuit Court records.
The suspect, Donale L. West, was charged Friday, Aug. 15, following the incident, which began around 5 a.m. Thursday when a 911 caller reported that her friend was being held against her will.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to the Raytown Police Department, dispatchers received a tip that the victim was inside a gold Chevrolet Silverado heading west on 63rd Street near Raytown Road.
Officers quickly located the vehicle at the 63rd St. QuikTrip, where they discovered the victim standing outside. West was found curled up on the rear floorboard and taken into custody. A glass meth pipe was also recovered nearby.
Victim’s Account
The victim told investigators that around 3:20 a.m., she returned home only to find West hiding in the backseat of another one of her vehicles.
She initially believed he was armed but later realized the weapon was actually her BB gun stored in the center console. Over the next hour, West allegedly threatened her life, forced her into the house, and claimed he had killed someone before.
At one point, West demanded she drive him to a second location where he believed his firearms were hidden, but he came back empty-handed. He then ordered her to drive to a third location. The victim told him she needed to stop for gas and parked at the QuikTrip, where police intervened.
Charges and Next Steps
West was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center and has been charged with kidnapping and harassment. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
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Bond: $50,000
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Bond Review Hearing: 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26
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Preliminary Hearing: 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11
As of Thursday afternoon, Aug. 21, West remains in custody. Authorities have not released additional details about the case.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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