A West Plains man is facing multiple felony charges after police recovered a stolen vehicle and uncovered a series of related offenses earlier this month. According to a probable cause statement filed in Howell County Circuit Court, James Isaac McKee admitted to entering vehicles throughout residential neighborhoods in West Plains with another individual as part of a plan to steal property.
Police began investigating on October 7, when a 2016 Nissan Rogue was found abandoned inside the city limits. The owner confirmed it had been taken without permission. During a post‑Miranda interview on October 10, McKee told officers he unlawfully entered the Rogue, removed its ignition key, and later drove the stolen vehicle before abandoning it near Old Airport Road and discarding the keys.
McKee also admitted taking the ignition keys to a 2016 Kawasaki Versys motorcycle, moving the motorcycle from its original location, and attempting to operate it before leaving it nearby. Investigators later learned McKee’s driving privileges were suspended under a Zero Tolerance action at the time he operated the stolen Rogue.
McKee is charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, and two counts of Stealing a Motor Vehicle, his bond is set at $25,000.
