Walmart curbside trip turns violent after alleged armed carjacking
By Nick Sloan
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — A man accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint outside a Kansas City Walmart was arrested after a chase through an apartment complex and wooded area, according to court records.
Jackson County prosecutors charged Eugene Wallace with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm after the Saturday afternoon chaos near U.S. 40 Highway.
A probable cause statement on the case said Kansas City police were called around 12:30 p.m. Saturday to the Walmart at 11601 E. U.S. 40 Highway for what started as a disturbance call but escalated into an armed carjacking.
Police said a woman was waiting for curbside groceries inside her Kia when a man wearing a black hoodie and a cast on his left arm approached her with a handgun and ordered her out of the car.
The victim tracked her AirPods after the robbery and told officers they were pinging near an apartment complex elsewhere in Kansas City.
Officers responding to the area saw Wallace behind the wheel of the stolen Kia while another man in a red shirt jumped out and walked away.
Police said Wallace then sped through the apartment complex’s parking lot, hit a dead end, ditched the car and ran into a wooded area.
Court records say Wallace ignored commands from officers before police caught him after a brief struggle.
Officers recovered a Glock 19 loaded with 15 rounds from Wallace’s waistband, along with another loose 9mm round, according to the probable cause statement.
It was later discovered the handgun had allegedly been stolen earlier that same day during a theft from a vehicle case in Independence.
Detectives also recovered a black hoodie allegedly worn during the robbery and prescription medication bearing Wallace’s name inside the stolen Kia, court records state.
Police said surveillance video showed Wallace apparently casing both the victim and her Kia before approaching the driver’s door and carrying out the robbery.
Court records show Wallace is prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.
A judge set Wallace’s bond at $100,000 with 10% authorized. If released, court records show he would be placed on GPS monitoring and house arrest and barred from possessing firearms or contacting victims or witnesses.
Wallace’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 10 in Jackson County court.
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