Wyandotte County prosecutors announced murder charges Wednesday against two people in connection with the death of a man found in a burning car late Saturday night in Kansas City, Kan.
One of the suspects is still at large, and authorities are asking for the public’s help to find him.
Refeeq Rahman, also known as Rafeeq Rahman or Howard Hickman, should be considered a “very dangerous individual,” said Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerry Gorman.
Rahman, 32, and Adam W. Smith, both of Kansas City, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of 62-year-old James Jackson of Grandview.
Both men are also charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated arson and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Jackson’s body was found in the back seat of a burning 2012 Lincoln MKT just before 11 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of Greeley Avenue. Gorman said that although the final autopsy report is not completed, it appeared that Jackson probably died in the fire.
Investigators determined that Jackson allegedly was involved in a drug transaction with Rahman and Smith, according to Gorman. The day before Jackson was found dead, he had been pulled over west of Topeka by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper who seized a quantity of cocaine.
Gorman declined to say how much but said it was “a heck of a lot more than personal use” and would have netted a sizable amount of money for whoever was distributing it.
Jackson apparently was working for Smith and Rahman and that “problems arose” after those drugs were taken from Jackson, Gorman said.
After the drug seizure, Jackson was released pending further investigation.
Shortly after Jackson’s body was discovered, Rahman was taken into custody in Kansas City on outstanding warrants. But he was released after posting bond later Sunday morning. At that point authorities had not identified Jackson and there was not enough evidence to hold Rahman in the murder case, according to Gorman.
Anyone with information about Rahman is asked to call Kansas City, Kan., police at 913-573-6030 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send email to trizzo@kcstar.com.
