ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a chase and standoff in Ellsworth County.
Just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a male subject driving a motorcycle at excessive speeds in the south shore area at Kanopolis Lake, according to sheriff Murray Marston.
A deputy responded to the area and observed a white pickup truck driving at an excessive speed. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the truck and the driver fled in an attempt to elude the officer.
After a short chase, the vehicle crashed near the marina and the driver later identified as 36-year-old Matthew T. Schroeder of McPherson and a passenger later identified as 38-year-old Rachel L. Hale fled from the vehicle. Schroeder obtained entry into a nearby mobile home and both subjects entered the home which was not occupied at the time.
Additional law enforcement officers from the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Wildlife and Parks responded to the scene and secured a perimeter around the home.
After numerous attempts to get the individuals to come out of the trailer and surrender, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team was requested to assist. Team members arrived, engaged the mobile home, Schroeder and Hale came out of the home and were arrested without incident.
Schroeder was transported to the Ellsworth County Jail and Hale was transported to the Lindsborg Community Hospital by Marquette EMS for injuries she sustained due to the crash.