Oklahoma Man Arrested After Fleeing Officers
An Oklahoma man is in custody after allegedly stealing two vehicles and fleeing officers in Russell and Trego Counties on Monday.
According to Russell County Sheriff Andy Van Der Wege, at approximately 8:44 AM Russell County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of 197th and Old Highway 40 for a report of a person that stole a vehicle from a residence. The vehicle was described as an older model maroon Chevy extended cab pickup that was rusted and dented. Russell County Deputies responded and saw the stolen pickup traveling westbound on Interstate 70 from the 193rd Exit. Russell County Deputies, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers, Kansas Highway Patrol Aircraft, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Russell Police Department responded to the area, and found that the pickup exited Interstate 70 at the 189th Exit and was traveling west on I-70 road. In the area between 186th and 187th on I-70 road, the vehicle traveled north into a plowed field, through the KDOT fence and crossed all lanes of Interstate 70 before crashing into a creek. The driver fled the scene. A thorough search of the area could not locate the suspect. It is alleged that the driver of the stolen pickup went to a nearby residence and took a gold Pontiac passenger car.
A description of the gold Pontiac was sent to area law enforcement. Shortly after, the car was located unoccupied on Interstate 70 in Trego County. Law Enforcement in Trego County conducted a thorough search of the area and apprehended 27-year-old Morgan Shaffer from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Shaffer was assessed by EMS and transported to Hays Medical Center for minor injuries. He was then taken to the Russell County Jail.
Requested charges are felony theft, felony criminal damage to property, burglary, criminal in possession of a weapon by a felon, driving while suspended and reckless driving.
The Russell County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Russell Police Department, Trego County Law Enforcement and EMS, and Hays Medical Center for their assistance.