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.