Alleged kidnapper set for February hearing

KENNETT, Mo. - A city man charged in September with six felonies and two misdemeanors after leading police on a high-speed pursuit is slated for a February hearing.

Court records state Allen Isla Miguel Cannon, 22, who listed a Slicer Street address, was charged by Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain with a myriad of felonies, including four counts of felony second-degree kidnapping; felony aggravated fleeing a stop or detention; felony driving while intoxicated; misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving; and misdemeanor failure to maintain financial responsibility.

Four victims jumped from the fleeing vehicle as Cannon allegedly raced through city streets on the night of Sept. 17, police said.

Kennett Police Dept. Officer Brandon Perkins reported the pursuit began about 10:30 p.m. when a white Chevrolet Trailblazer operated by Cannon traveling 64 mph in a 45 mph zone nearly collided head-on with Perkins' patrol unit.

“The vehicle then fled at high rate of speed,” Perkins reported. “Failing to stop at stop signs and failed to maintain a single lane while traveling multiple city streets.

“While turning off Ballard onto the North Bypass, juvenile victim No. 1 opened the back door and jumped from the vehicle while it was still in motion causing him to hit the ground,” Perkins explained. “The vehicle continued to flee while turning west onto Fifth Street, victim No. 2 opened the front passenger door and jumped from the vehicle while it was still in motion causing him to hit the ground.”

Cannon continued racing police before coming to a complete stop at the intersection of Seventh Street and Kennett Street, where victims No. 3 and No. 4 bailed from the vehicle, Perkins said.

“The driver exited the vehicle, at which time he was placed under arrest at 10:41 p.m. and was identified as Allen Cannon,” the officer reported. “While securing Cannon in my patrol vehicle, I could smell a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage emitting from his breath.

“I asked Cannon if he had been drinking,” Perkins continued. “Cannon stated, 'Yes.'”

Perkins reported Cannon submitted to alcohol breath tests and blew .159 first and .169 later.

“Upon arrival at the Dunklin County Jail I conducted field sobriety testing on Cannon,” Perkins said.

The suspect failed those tests, Perkins said, and “I later learned that victim No. 2 was transported by Medic One to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained to his left leg when he exited” the Trailblazer

“Victim No. 2 told officers he told Cannon multiple times to stop the vehicle and he would not,” Perkins said. “It was evident that victim No. 1 and victim No. 2 did not want to be in the vehicle since victim No. 2 stated he told Cannon multiple times to stop.

“Cannon does not have a drivers license nor was there any proof of insurance for the vehicle,” the officer continued. “I believe that the defendant would not appear in court in response to a criminal summons and/or that the defendant poses a danger to a victim, the community, or another person, for the following reasons: Cannon fled from officers and caused distress and injuries to his passengers during the course of fleeing from officers.”

Cannon is in police custody at the Dunklin County Jail at Kennett in lieu of $95,000 cash-only bond, Jain said.

He is scheduled for a case review at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 before 35th Judicial District Presiding Judge Rob Mayer, court documents indicate.

Cannon pleaded not guilty to all charges on Nov. 13, according to court records.