An SUV belonging to the University of Kansas Athletics that was reported stolen in Lawrence was recovered after a late Friday night incident in Salina.
Officers were dispatched at 11:45 p.m. Friday to the Best Western Plus, 745 West Schilling Road for the report of damage to property, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. An employee there observed two people -- a man and a woman -- removing a screen from room 107, he said. The two people also left the motel without paying the $24 outstanding balance on their room bill, Forrester said. They were seen leaving in a black 2019 Ford Expedition, a vehicle belonging to KU Athletics that had been reported stolen in Lawrence and was valued at $65,000, he added.
While officers were working the case, another officer observed the SUV turn into the parking lot of Comfort Inn, 715 West Schilling Road, Forrester said. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the SUV drove around the patrol vehicle and headed east on West Schilling Road at a high rate of speed, he said. The SUV traveled in excess of 75 mph, according to Forrester.
The SUV failed to stop at the stop sign at the East Schilling Road-South Ohio Street intersection and attempted to turn north, but because of the speed hit the South Ohio Street curbing and came to a stop, he said.
Forrester said the driver, Sarah Howe, 42, of Oregon, smelled strongly of an alcoholic drink and was found to be in possession of narcotics. She was arrested on suspicion of the following.
Flee and elude resulting in a motor vehicle accident
Possession of stolen property
Possession of opiates
No drug tax stamp
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Reckless driving
Speeding
Transporting an open container
Stopsign violation
Misdemeanor theft
Damage to property
Forrester said the male observed removing the screen at Best Western Plus has not been located.
The SUV had to be towed from the scene, he said.