An Emporia woman is facing multiple charges after she reportedly stole an SUV that was hauling a boat and leading officers on a low-speed pursuit Saturday afternoon.
The woman’s name has not been released, but Emporia Police Officer and acting supervisor Jaffar Agha confirmed Saturday that the woman was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicle theft, flee and elude, driving with a suspended license and driving without an ignition interlock device in addition to numerous traffic infractions.
Shortly after 1:45 p.m. officers were alerted to a vehicle theft in progress in the 1100 block of Neosho. The vehicle, a black Chevrolet Suburban hauling a boat was located in the area of West South Ave. and Prairie Street. Officers pursued the vehicle, driven by a Hispanic woman, with speeds upwards of 30 to 40 mph through some of the busier routes in Emporia including 6th Ave. to Merchant Street, South Street to Prairie, north to 12th Ave.
Officers eventually deployed stop sticks at the intersection of Commercial and East Logan Avenue causing the tires to blow out and the vehicle came to a stop just east of Simmons Pet Foods on East Logan Ave at around 2:15 p.m. No injuries were reported from the police pursuit. The SUV sustained damage to all four tires, but the boat sustained no damage. Additional information likely won’t be released from Emporia Police until Monday.
According to a social media post, the SUV and boat in question belong to Jamie Rusco of Emporia. The post says the vehicles were stolen by a female suspect and an accomplice, however, police say only one person was arrested at the scene.
Video below shows the woman being pursued eastbound along 12th Ave. Saturday afternoon in front of the KVOE building and Newman Regional Health.
Stay with KVOE News for further updates.
