BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after a chase in Barton County.
Just before 7p.m. Wednesday sheriff’s deputies had just finished executing a search warrant in the city of Great Bend when they became aware of a city police car that had been struck by a suspect vehicle, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
The Great Bend Police Department officer had stopped a vehicle in the 3300 block of 10th Street. The vehicle was traveling with no headlights as required. The officer contacted the driver later identified as Nicholas Kramer, 33 of Great Bend and became aware that he may be intoxicated.
The suspect vehicle initially fled from the city police officer, then stopped and backed into the police car twice, according to Bellendir.
The suspect then again fled from the city police. Several Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area to assist the police department. At one point a Sheriff’s office Sgt. blocked the vehicle at the intersection of 10th and Grant.
The suspect vehicle struck the rear of the Sheriff’s car and continued to flee from officers. The pursuit continued to the west side of Great Bend and traveled north on Kansas Highway 96 towards 24th Street.
At this point the police officers opted to discontinue pursuit and the Sheriff’s Office intervened. The suspect vehicle continued north on Kansas 96. to 24th Street where it turned East.
A Sheriff’s vehicle was alongside the suspect vehicle attempting to keep it boxed in, while the suspect swerved at the Sheriff’s car several times.
The suspect then entered the cemetery on 24th Street. Due to the extreme danger posed to the general public, a Sheriff’s office Sgt. decided rather than allow the vehicle back on city streets it should be stopped in the cemetery.
A Sheriff’s office vehicle intentionally pushed the rear of the suspect vehicle causing it to spin out at which point a Pawnee County Sheriff’s patrol unit was able to box in the suspect.
Deputies arrested Kramer and transported him to the Barton County Jail without incident where he was booked on requested charges of three counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, three counts of criminal damage to property, aggravated battery w/ DUI and felony flee and elude. His bond is set at $100,000.