JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a rural Kansas burglary.
On Monday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary in progress at 2830 102nd Road, approximately one half mile south of the City of Delia, Kansas, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
The caller reported a white Jeep on the property. The 2002 Jeep Cherokee fled northbound from the first arriving sheriff’s deputy on the property.
The deputy lost sight of the Jeep in a thickly wooded area, headed southwest at a high rate of speed thru what had previously been a cornfield.
The vehicle then accessed 102nd Road and went westbound when another sheriff’s unit took over the pursuit. The vehicle continued down several low maintenance roads and into Pottawatomie County west of 63 Highway. The driver eventually lost control and the Jeep left the roadway at the T intersection of Doyle Creek and Pleasant View Road in Pottawatomie County, according to Morse.
The Jeep caught fire as did the surrounding field. The vehicle and its contents were destroyed, according to Morse. Pottawatomie County Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Management, and KHP responded to the incident.
Jackson County deputies took the alleged driver and owner of the Jeep 45-year-old Christopher Gerard Keinsmith of St. Mary’s and the passenger 27-year-old Marc Allen Nichols of Rossville.
Kleinsmith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, felony fleeing and eluding. Nichols was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, and a probation violation. He was also wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Morse.
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