A Shawnee man has been arrested following a late-night vehicle pursuit that crossed three counties and evolved into a suspect search Saturday.
Jamison T. Durkee was apprehended early Sunday morning at the Matfield Green Service center by Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers after leading the high-speed pursuit that began on Interstate 35 southbound between Beto Junction and Waverly around 10:30 pm Saturday.
The car was allegedly traveling erratically at a high rate of speed when it was first reported, and as it approached Emporia speeds were estimated at well above 100 mph.
Durkee drove through Emporia’s Turnpike tollgate and continued south through at least one set of Highway Patrol stop sticks to just south of the Matfield Green service exit, where Durkee left the car — while it was in motion — and fled the scene.
Lyon County deputies, Chase County deputies, Butler County deputies, the Kansas Highway Patrol and Reading Benefit Fire Department all assisted in the search.
Durkee could be facing multiple traffic and drug charges in Lyon and Chase counties and possible theft charges in Missouri according to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch. Durkee was taken to Newman Regional Health following his arrest for treatment of minor injuries and was later taken to the Lyon County Detention Center where formal charges are currently pending.
The vehicle Durkee was driving, a black 2021 Mazda CV, was apparently stolen out of Missouri.
Durkee has prior convictions in Johnson County for theft and aggravated escape in 2016 and 2017 respectively and a prior conviction in Sedwick County for promoting the sale of sexual relations in 2019.
1 am Sunday: Pursuit across three area counties leads to suspect search in southern Chase County
Several law enforcement and emergency jurisdictions have been involved in a high-speed pursuit that crossed three counties and evolved into a suspect search late Saturday night.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says Lyon County deputies were asked to help locate a possible drunk or reckless driver initially traveling on Interstate 35 southbound between BETO Junction and Waverly around 10:30 pm. The car was allegedly traveling erratically at a high rate of speed when it was first reported, and as it approached Emporia speeds were estimated at well above 100 mph.
The driver went through Emporia’s Turnpike tollgate and continued south through at least one set of Highway Patrol stop sticks to just south of the Matfield Green service exit, where the driver left the car — while it was in motion — and fled the scene. The search, which continued into early Sunday, has been concentrated around the service exit, with help from a Highway Patrol K-9 unit, Chase County deputies and the Reading Benefit Fire Department’s drone. Tentative plans have been discussed to bring a Highway Patrol air unit to the scene as well.
The suspect’s name is not available at this time. Koelsch says the suspect may be a light-skinned black or mixed-race man, 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-1 in height, with a dark shirt and denim shorts. He may have extremely short hair or he may be bald. There is evidence the suspect may be armed, so people should not approach anybody fitting that description. Instead, they should call 911 immediately.
The vehicle allegedly involved is apparently stolen out of Missouri.
