NEWTON, Kan. — On Saturday at around 3:23 a.m., a Newton Police Officer patrolling a residential neighborhood observed a vehicle being operated in a suspicious manner. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Anderson Rd. and Meadowbrook Dr. for a traffic violation. The car immediately fled from the stop south on Anderson and into rural Harvey County at speeds of 80-90 mph. Deputies from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and an officer from the Halstead Police Department joined the pursuit. The car finally stopped after becoming disabled in the 6300 block of West Road.
Four people ran from the car and the officer continued to pursue them on foot. The driver was taken into custody in a wheat field approximately 100 yards from the car.
Police Service Dog, Kozmo was deployed and tracked one of the passengers who was found hiding in tall grass along a railroad right of way approximately 350 yards from the car. Evidence was also recovered during the track. A third suspect was located hiding in this same area and was taken into custody.
The fourth suspect was identified and ultimately arrested at a rural residence several miles away by the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office later in the morning.
The car was determined to have been stolen several days prior. The driver, a 20 year old Wichita resident, was arrested on felony theft, felony flee & elude, DUI, minor in possession of alcohol and a myriad of other charges. A 19-year-old Hutchinson man was arrested for obstruction and minor in possession, a 20 year old Harvey County resident was arrested for obstruction, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. A 20 year old Harvey County resident was arrested for obstruction of official duty.
No names have been released as a result of the incident.