Hannibal Man Facing Serious Charges After High Speed Chase In Knox County

Hannibal Man Facing Serious Charges After High Speed Chase In Knox County

Robert W. Roland, 29, of Hannibal is facing numerous charges
after leading a Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal on a dangerous
high-speed pursuit in southwestern Knox County on Thursday morning, February 9,
2012.

According to court documents, a MSHP Trooper spotted a gray
Dodge traveling westbound on Highway 156, two miles west of Novelty, at what
seemed to be a high rate of speed. Using radar the Trooper was able to
determine the vehicle was traveling 78 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour
zone.

The Trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the
vehicle’s speed increased and it turned right onto State Route A and headed
north. The Trooper checked the vehicle’s speed again with radar and determined
the vehicle was traveling 123 miles per hour on State Route A.

More than five miles up State Route A the vehicle took another
turn, this time it turned left onto Knox County Road 250 and traveled a half of
a mile west before pulling to the right side of the roadway and stopping.

After the vehicle came to a stop Roland was ordered out of
the vehicle and handcuffed. Roland informed the Trooper there was a baby in the
backseat of the vehicle. Passenger Cassandra L. Roland, 22, was also in the
vehicle.

Roland claimed he fled from law enforcement to avoid getting
a ticket.

Roland was arrested and taken to the Lewis County Jail where
he was charged with Felony Endangering The Welfare Of A Child, Resisting Arrest
By Fleeing, two counts of Speeding and two counts of Failure To Signal.

Roland was booked into the Lewis County Jail on a $5,000
cash only bond.

On Friday, February 10, 2012 the Knox County Prosecutors
Office filed an additional Class C Felony count of Endangering The Welfare Of A
Child in the First Degree.