Twin sisters charged in Belton armed carjacking

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An alleged armed carjacking that followed an intentional crash on Interstate 49 in Belton on Tuesday night led to charges against twin sisters from Kansas City, Missouri.

Cass County prosecutors charged 19-year-olds Rodnae Gorham and Rodneysha Gorham with accessory to vehicle hijacking with a deadly weapon, and they are currently being held without bond.

Court documents say the carjacking happened Tuesday shortly before 6 p.m. after the suspects driving a Kia rear-ended the victim in a Dodge Charger on southbound I-49 north of 163rd Street, and followed her to where she pulled over just before the entrance ramp.

The victim told Belton police that the woman later identified as Rodnae was driving the Kia, got out of the car and apologized for hitting her. Court documents say the victim told police while she was talking to Rodnae, an unidentified man and Rodneysha got out of the Kia, and Rodneysha got into her Dodge’s driver seat.

The victim said when she told her to get out of her car, the man pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her, and proceeded to get into the car. Court documents say Rodnae returned to the Kia, and all three suspects drove away.

Lt. Dan Davis with the Belton Police Department says a crime like this is uncommon for the area.

“There were two individuals taken into custody after they fled from that stolen vehicle in Kansas City,” he said.

“They were brought to Belton yesterday and charges were filed with the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office today. Both individuals are being held at the Cass County jail on no bond warrants for the carjacking.”

Court documents say the victim told police she bought the car three days before the crash and it was equipped with a “Lojack” GPS tracking system, giving her the vehicle’s location. Belton police notified Kansas City police, who found the car parked in front of a house near 59th and Bellefontaine.

According to court documents, KCPD attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects drove away and were pursued by officers on the ground and KCPD’s helicopter. They eventually stopped, got out and attempted to run from officers near 36th and Brooklyn, but were caught and arrested.

According to the probable cause statement, Rodnae said she was driving the Kia around Kansas City when the unidentified man said he wanted the victim’s Dodge. She told investigators she followed the victim into Belton and rear-ended her on I-49.

She corroborated the victim’s account of the carjacking, and said she assisted because the man had a gun and threatened to hurt her.

Court papers say Rodneysha gave an inconsistent account from Rodnae’s, and said that they left the Kia roadside, which investigators say they knew wasn’t true.

She then changed her statement, but claims she didn’t remember who drove the Dodge away from the scene. Both suspects claimed they didn’t know the man’s name, only his street name.

However, police were able to use tracking tech and aerial surveillance to locate the suspect’s vehicle.

“The vehicle was equipped with a system that allowed us to be able to track the general location of the vehicle. Kansas City was able to locate it, gave chase, lost it for some time, but then picked it back up with their aviation unit and the helicopter was able to follow it to an area when the suspects bailed out, ground units were able to come in and catch our two suspects hiding in the area,” Lt. Dan Davis, the Division Commander over BPD’s Investigations Unit said.

Davis also went on to explain that the victim did everything right.

“Our victim, she didn’t do anything wrong. She got off the highway. It was a relatively busy area, and this still happened. When confronted, she gave the vehicle up. Very smart. No vehicle is worth dying for. She did everything right. She was victimized. Luckily, at least two people are going to be held accounted for that,” he shared.

Lt. Davis also shared some tips for self-awareness.

“If you feel like you are being followed, or somebody may be targeting you, in this instance. Go to a very populated area. Figure out where your closest police department is. Let them follow you to the police department.”

That third suspect hasn’t been identified and it’s unknown whether he’s been arrested yet.

Online court records don’t yet list court dates for either of the twin sisters. Belton police say this case remains under investigation and more charges may be filed.

The Belton Police Department says this case is ongoing and more charges may be forthcoming. If you know anything that could help investigators, you’re asked to call (816) 474- TIPS or the Belton Police Department’s Investigations Unit at (816) 331-1500.

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