KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 34-year-old Olathe man faces four charges in a high-speed chase down the runway at the downtown Kansas City airport on Feb. 1, 2022.
Efren Torres-Rodriguez is charged with one count each of damaging and interfering with an air navigation facility, damaging and disrupting an international airport, felon and drug user in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Torres-Rodriguez was found passed out in a Dodge Charger near a gate at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
When police arrived and opened the door, Torres-Rodriguez woke up and refused to exit the vehicle and drove through the gate into the airfield.
Torres-Rodriguez drove up to 100 mph down the runway while being chased and drove onto the tarmac, before trying to cross a grassy area toward the airstrip.
The Dodge Charger stopped running and Torres-Rodriguez was removed from the driver’s seat and arrested.
Police found a bag of methamphetamine in his pocket.
The vehicle contained a semi-automatic handgun, an extended magazine, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
Torres-Rodriguez was found to have prior felony convictions for firearm possession and violent crimes.
He was charged on May 18 and arrested on June 1.