Nevada man arrested after chase in Kansas

Fort Scott Tribune

A Nevada man who allegedly led law enforcement authorities on a high-speed chase Friday night was apprehended Saturday.

A chase that began about 7 p.m., Friday, took Fort Scott Police Department officers, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol troopers through parts of Fort Scott, along part of U.S. Highway 69 and on various county roads, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin said Monday.

Authorities pursued a blue 2004 Chevy Trailblazer with Missouri license plates starting in an area at U.S. Highway 54 and 215th Street. The chase ended about 9 p.m. in the area of U.S. 69 and Birch Road, Martin said.

"Our first initial contact was at U.S. 54 and 215th Street," he said. "Deputies had been dispatched to check a suspicious party in another area. By the time officers arrived, the party was leaving in a vehicle."

Martin said an officer that had been responding to the disturbance in another area "had come across the vehicle," which had only one occupant.

"The vehicle went into the county in rural areas, then came back through Fort Scott, south on 69 highway and back through rural areas again," Martin said. "The vehicle was located unoccupied in an area of 69 (highway) and Birch Road."

At least an hour after the pursuit began, all units returned to their vehicles then went to check out the suspect vehicle, according to scanner reports.

Martin said law enforcement authorities searched the area but were not able to locate the suspect. He said officers "cleared the scene" and ended the pursuit about 9 p.m.

Speeds in the chase varied and officers at times backed off due to dust conditions on gravel roads, but continued the pursuit, according to scanner reports.

"Speeds at times exceeded posted speed limits," Martin said.

Martin said the suspect, Kevin J. Pratt, 22, of Nevada, Mo., was located Saturday morning in the area where the chase ended the previous night.

Pratt was arrested at 8:55 a.m. by the BCSO and charged with fleeing to elude with five or more moving violations, racing on highways and reckless driving. As of Monday, Pratt was being held in the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center on a $500 surety bond.

Martin said authorities are investigating whether the vehicle was stolen.

"We will follow up with Missouri authorities," he said.