Two West Plains men are 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 with another individual, identified as Maksim Alan Protzman, 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. In 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. He 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.
According to the attached probable cause affidavit, McKee further stated that he and Protzman had devised a plan to enter unsecured vehicles throughout residential neighborhoods to steal property. McKee told Patrol Officer Joseph Tombley that Protzman unlawfully entered one vehicle and removed a Gucci‑brand wallet containing currency and a pair of headphones without the owner’s permission. McKee also reported that both he and Protzman worked together to obtain the ignition keys for the Rogue and the Versys, after which Protzman took possession of and operated the Rogue while McKee attempted to operate the motorcycle.
Based on McKee’s statements and the recovered stolen vehicles, authorities say probable cause supports charges against both individuals. McKee and Protzman are charged with Burglary 2nd Degree and two counts of Stealing a Motor Vehicle.
