A Melvern man has been arrested following a vehicle pursuit in Osage County Wednesday morning.
According to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells, the pursuit began just before 10:50 am after a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near East 325th Street and South K31 Highway south of Melvern. The pursuit then entered Melvern where the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Joshua B Franks, entered a field, struck a Sheriff’s Deputy patrol unit and an unidentified vehicle.
The pursuit then continued on rural roads southeast of Melvern where Franks entered another field in the 5600 block of East 325th Street and eventually abandoned his vehicle. The Kansas Highway Patrol offered assistance through the use of two K9’s and a helicopter to locate Franks.
Franks was arrested on suspicion of numerous charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery, burglary, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, obstruction of the legal process, criminal damage to property, and several traffic violations.
Franks is currently being housed at the Osage County Jail as of last word.
As the pursuit was ongoing, Marais des Cygnes Valley High School in Melvern voluntarily went into lockdown. In addition to KHP, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Franklin and Coffey County Sheriff’s Offices and Osage County EMS.
