The woman who allegedly led a four-county chase beginning just east of Emporia and who was allegedly smuggling people from other countries south of the United States may well face charges in Lyon and Franklin counties — and she might face charges in Coffey and Osage counties as well.
Saturday’s incident allegedly began with an attempted traffic stop on Interstate 35 shortly before 6:30 am and ended in south Ottawa at the Love’s Travel Shop, but only after the suspect, 39-year-old Rebecca Estrada, now listed from Albuquerque, New Mexico, allegedly hit a Franklin County deputy with her vehicle, locked herself inside a semi cab for over three hours and wasn’t arrested until the Ottawa Police STAR Team and Lyon County Special Response Team used what Franklin County says were “less lethal” munitions to subdue Estrada.
Estrada was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and interference with law enforcement in Franklin County. If formal charges are filed there, the case would be handled by the Fourth Judicial District.
Estrada may be facing additional charges in Lyon County through the Fifth Judicial District, based on the allegations of human smuggling. There is currently no word on the number of people allegedly being smuggled when Lyon County deputies initiated the traffic stop.
6:30 pm Saturday: Colorado woman arrested in Ottawa Saturday allegedly transporting illegal citizens
A Colorado woman was apprehended following a vehicle pursuit across four counties Saturday and is believed to have been involved in the smuggling of illegal citizens.
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, 39-year-old Rebecca Estrada of Colorado was apprehended at the Love’s Travel Stop at 203 E 27th Street in Ottawa following a pursuit that began in Lyon County. The Chase began after Estrada resisted a traffic stop by Lyon County Deputies at mile marker 135 on Interstate 35 just after 6:20 am Saturday.
The pursuit passed through Coffey and Osage counties and entered Ottawa where Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ottawa Police became involved according to Ottawa Police Chief Adam Weingartner.
Audio courtesy of Brad Howard and KOFO Radio in Ottawa.
Estrada also struck and damaged two Lyon County Sheriff’s vehicles before entering the Love’s Travel Stop at 203 E. 27th Street in Ottawa.
From there, Estrada exited her vehicle with a knife and entered an unlocked semi-cab where she holed up for nearly four hours before the Ottawa Police Department’s STAR Team and Lyon County Special Response Team used non-lethal munitions to apprehend Estrada. Estrada was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and interference with law enforcement in Franklin County.
Estrada may be facing additional charges in Lyon County. According to an initial investigation, authorities say Estrada was allegedly smuggling several illegal citizens from countries south of the United States to states east of Kansas.
The subjects that Estrada was allegedly transporting have been identified and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been notified of the situation.
2:30 pm Saturday: Colorado woman arrested following early morning pursuit through Lyon, Coffey, Osage and Franklin counties
A Colorado woman is in custody after leading law enforcement on a pursuit through four counties Saturday morning.
According to Lyon County Sgt. Zach Shafer, Lyon County Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on a white Ford Expedition at mile marker 135 on Interstate 35 just after 6:20 am Saturday. The driver, identified as 39-year-old Rebecca Estrada of Colorado, reportedly resisted and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect vehicle led authorities through Coffey and Osage counties before entering Franklin County where the vehicle struck a stop stick on the west side of Ottawa. The partially disabled Expedition then entered the Love’s Truck Stop parking lot where Estrada allegedly struck a Franklin County Sheriff’s vehicle injuring a deputy.
After allegedly striking two Lyon County Sheriff’s vehicles Estrada excited the vehicle and entered an unlocked semi cab. Estrada remained in the cab for nearly four hours before she was apprehended and taken into custody on suspicion of assault on law enforcement and multiple traffic infractions. Formal charges are pending.
According to KOFO radio in Ottawa, three passengers reportedly jumped out of the vehicle near Kentucky Road and I-35. Two of the suspects have reportedly been apprehended thanks to the Franklin County STAR team and Lyon County Tactical Team.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information as it becomes available.
