The suspect in Monday’s incident involving an alleged fuel theft from a KDOT tractor, chase into and out of Emporia and crash into a utility pole is accused of several high-level financial crimes in Oklahoma.
Jerry Brown, 43, had an 18-year career with the Tulsa Fire Department, rising to the rank of captain. However, he ended his career after allegations he embezzled over $70,000 from a remodeling contract two hears ago while he owned a construction company in Tulsa. Brown was also set for federal trial next month after allegedly stealing $320,000 from two banks in Osage County, Oklahoma.
Monday’s incident in and around Emporia came to light after Brown allegedly tried to steal fuel from a KDOT vehicle near the Emporia Golf Course and then drove into Emporia before a vehicle chase developed, but it was discovered Brown was allegedly involved in a felony flee and elude incident that started with a report he was kidnapped from his home. Brown crashed at South Commercial and Norton and ran away from the scene but was quickly captured by local authorities.
Brown was arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage, felony flee and elude, leaving the scene of an accident and a host of traffic violations. Formal charges are currently pending.
3:30 pm Monday: Oklahoma man arrested after incident involving fuel theft, car chase, foot chase
An Oklahoma man has been arrested on suspicion of several charges following an early morning theft and vehicle pursuit Monday in Lyon County and Emporia, and there may be even more charges coming from authorities in Oklahoma.
According to Lyon County Detective Sgt. Jacob Welsh, authorities were alerted to a reported fuel theft at Road 110 and South Kansas Highway 99 shortly before 8:30 am. The resident who reported the alleged theft described the suspect vehicle as a white Dodge pickup with an Oklahoma license plate.
Deputies later spotted the truck traveling north in the 700 block of South Weaver and attempted to conduct a traffic stop before the vehicle reportedly fled initiating a pursuit. The chase led authorities into the county before returning to Emporia where the suspect vehicle crashed at the intersection of Norton and South Commercial after failing to navigate a turn.
The driver, identified as 43-year-old Jerry Brown of Bixby, OK, then exited the vehicle and was arrested after a short foot pursuit. Brown was arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage, felony flee and elude, leaving the scene of an accident and a host of traffic violations.
Formal charges are currently pending.
Local authorities are currently working with law enforcement in Oklahoma to determine if any other crimes have been committed by Brown. Additional details are pending.
KVOE News Director Chuck Samples contributed to this report.
11 am Monday: Authorities investigating after alleged fuel theft from KDOT tractor leads to chase into Emporia
Local authorities are investigating after a chase developed in rural Lyon County and moved into south Emporia before 9 am.
Lyon County deputies say the driver of the pickup allegedly involved was trying to steal fuel from a Kansas Department of Transportation tractor near the junction of Kansas Highway 99 and Road 110, near the Emporia Golf Gourse. Authorities began a pursuit northbound into Emporia. The driver tried to turn from Commercial onto Norton, but crashed instead into a utility pole, causing a small power outage for Evergy customers in the area.
Lyon County deputies say the suspect ran from the scene, starting a brief foot pursuit. He was captured and is in custody. The suspect’s name has not been released.
Commercial Street has been blocked from Kansas south to Logan as the investigation continues.
Further details are pending.
