West Plains authorities are seeking multiple felony charges against Maksim Alan Protzman of West Plains after a juvenile witness and additional statements linked him to the theft of a 2017 Audi Q7 and a subsequent crash that caused more than $1,000 in damage on Tuesday night.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Howell County Associate Circuit Court, Officer Robert Shell responded around 8:40 p.m. on August 11 to a single‑vehicle crash near Abe Taylor and Washington. Dispatchers reported that two occupants had fled the wreck on foot, running west on Abe Taylor before turning onto Lincoln. A witness at the scene provided police with a photograph showing two individuals running from the damaged SUV.
A juvenile male was later located and arrested. During a Miranda‑advised interview, the juvenile told investigators he had been a passenger in the stolen vehicle and identified the driver as Maksim Protzman. He stated that earlier in the evening, around 7 p.m., he and Protzman had been at the skate park before moving into the neighborhood around Trish Knight Street. The juvenile said the pair were “checking door handles” of vehicles and intended to steal items from unlocked cars. He reported that Protzman found an unlocked black 2017 Audi Q7, entered it, located the keys, and started the engine.
The juvenile told police that Protzman instructed him to get in, and the two drove away. He estimated Protzman was traveling 60–70 miles per hour on Washington Avenue before failing to stop at a stop sign and crashing into a chain‑link fence and a pile of wood. Damage exceeded $1,000, according to the affidavit.
During his own interview, Protzman denied involvement, claiming he had been home all night and was intoxicated from drinking beer and smoking marijuana. Officer Shell noted that Protzman was wearing the same clothing seen in the witness’s photograph of the subjects fleeing the crash.
A second witness further implicated Protzman, stating he observed him driving a black SUV with the juvenile in the passenger seat as the pair left.
Based on the witness statements, the juvenile’s account, and physical evidence, Officer Shell requested charges including:
Stealing – Motor Vehicle
Property Damage, 1st Degree
Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Property Damage Exceeding $1,000
His bond is set at $10,000.
The case was electronically filed on August 12, 2026. the Trish Knight area earlier that evening.
