Formal charges are pending after a three-county chase and search incident Friday morning northwest of Emporia.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office issued the latest news release Friday afternoon, saying the incident began developing near the junction of US Highway 56 and Old Kansas Highway 4 after a deputy tried to stop a truck matching the description of a truck listed as stolen from Salina. The driver didn’t stop, so the deputy pursued. Eventually, the chase went through southeast Morris, part of northwest Lyon and northeast Chase counties before the driver abandoned the truck in the 2700 block of YY Road about 10 miles northwest of Emporia.
Deputies from Lyon, Chase and Morris counties and officers from Council Grove searched the area by foot, also using Morris County K-9 Kimber and drones from Lyon and Chase counties due to poor weather and road conditions. Nearly two hours after the incident started, a drone found the suspects in a ditch about half-a-mile from where the truck was left.
Two Council Grove men, 42-year-old Michael Garrett and 41-year-old Jason Oder, were arrested on suspicion of felony theft, felony possession of stolen property, felony flee and elude and driving while suspended.
1:45 pm Friday: Friday incident begins in Morris County, ends in Chase County as drone finds suspects hiding from law enforcement in ditch
Names have not been released, but more details have unfolded about Friday’s alleged chase and search that led to the arrests of two people.
The Chase County Sheriff’s Office says the incident started with a a pursuit going from Morris County into Chase County before 8:25 am. Suspects fled on foot after the vehicle, mentioned as possibly stolen by Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, was disabled shortly before 9 am.
Deputies from Lyon, Chase and Morris counties searched the area by foot and also used drones due to poor weather and road conditions. Nearly two hours after the incident started, a drone found the suspects in a ditch, allegedly trying to hide from deputies.
Formal charges are pending as the investigation continues.
11 am Friday: Search involving parts of Lyon, Chase counties ends with two arrests
Two people are in custody after an alleged incident involving a vehicle pursuit and foot search northwest of Emporia on Friday.
The situation began unfolding after a Morris County pursuit of an allegedly stolen vehicle Friday morning. Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says the driver left the unspecified vehicle and left the area on foot.
Authorities from Lyon, Chase and Morris counties then searched an area along Lyon County Road A between Roads 200 and 230, as well as Chase County YY Road, for about two hours before the arrests were reported. Both were taken to the Chase County Jail for booking.
Other details about this case are currently developing. Residents in the search area had been told to lock buildings and vehicles. That guidance has been lifted.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
10 am Friday: Lyon, Chase, Morris county deputies involved in search after alleged chase; nearby residents told to lock homes and vehicles
Authorities from Lyon, Chase and Morris counties are searching an area for a person who allegedly was driving a stolen car during a law enforcement pursuit Friday morning.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says Morris County deputies were involved in the chase around 8:30 am. The driver left the currently-unspecified vehicle and fled on foot.
Koelsch tells KVOE News authorities are currently searching a box along Lyon County Road A, also the Lyon-Chase county line, between Roads 200 and 230. The search area also involves Chase County YY Road.
Koelsch is urging residents in and immediately near that area to make sure their homes, outbuildings and vehicles are locked with no keys outside. With no suspect description currently available, Koelsch says residents need to call local law enforcement if they see anybody walking in that area.
Koelsch also says travel conditions are “terrible” in that area after several rounds of snow, rain and fog the past three weeks.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
