By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 20, 2011

After leading police officers on an 80-plus mile chase and a 3 1/2-hour standoff, Justin Ray Heller is now in custody.

Cameron, Mo., police began pursuing the 31-year-old, who was driving a stolen vehicle, at approximately 4 a.m. today, April 20. Heller later crashed the vehicle at Route PP near Holt, Mo.

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Justin Ray Heller

When a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper tried to arrest Heller, he resisted, and began fighting with the trooper. During the struggle, Heller stole the trooper’s gun and fired a shot, missing the trooper.

Heller then fled, stealing a van.

At approximately 7:40 a.m., Kansas City Missouri Police Department located the abandoned van, now burned, on 7th Street in Historic Northeast.

State troopers and the Kansas City police then staked out a residence at Myrtle and Garner until approximately 11 a.m.

Jackie McNair, who’s uncle lives in that neighborhood, said Heller had been living at the residence.

Asked to describe Heller, she said, “He’s a very dishonest, lowlife.”

McNair also said he used drugs.

A Missouri Highway Patrol SWAT team and Kansas City police later moved their stakeout to a residence in the 700 block of Jackson Avenue, where Heller surrendered at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Several charges have already been filed against Heller, including assault on a police officer, tampering with a motor vehicle, two counts of receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and unlawful use of a weapon.