CLEARWATER, Kan. (KSNW) — A 25-mile police pursuit of a stolen vehicle in southeast Kansas ended with a rollover crash and a man in custody Monday afternoon.
According to Clearwater Chief of Police Kirk Ives, the chase started around 3 p.m. in Wellington when Flock cameras picked up the license plate of a stolen SUV out of Wellington.
Chief Ives said the Wellington Police Department started the chase but called it off. That is when the Conway Springs Police Department took over, and the Clearwater Police Department stepped up to assist.
According to Chief Ives, as the stolen SUV made its way to the south side of Clearwater, that’s when officers deployed a stop stick, which damaged the back of the SUV shortly afterward.
The driver then drove toward one of the officers, attempting to ram into his car but barely missing him, according to Chief Ives.
When reporters asked Chief Ives if shots were fired during the chase, he confirmed.
“Yes, but I can’t go into the discussion of any of that at this time,” Chief Ives said.
The chase continued until the stolen car lost control and rolled over near the intersection of 111th Street South and 119th Street West, 25 miles from where the chase started.
According to Clearwater Police Department, three people were in the SUV: an 18-year-old male driver, a 16-year-old female passenger, and a 16-month-old child.
The 16-year-old received a minor arm injury. The driver and baby were not injured.
The driver was booked into jail on the following charges:
- Aggravated assault of law enforcement officer
- Two counts of aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation of a child
- Two counts of criminal restraint
- Criminal use of weapons; unknown circumstances
- Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked
- Flee or attempt to elude; avoid tire device
- Two counts of possession of stolen property; value $1,000 to $25,000
