A man wanted in connection with an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer was located Tuesday at a north Salina motel.
At approximately 2:50 a.m. on March 31, officers were sent to a central Salina residence for the report of a loud vehicle in the driveway, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. When officers arrived, they found a white 2002 GMC Envoy running in the driveway and a man in the passenger seat who appeared to be unconscious. The vehicle was registered to Shane Garrett, 42, of Salina, and officers determined that Garrett was the man in the vehicle.
According to Forrester, officers attempted to wake Garrett by several means, but were unable to do so. EMS personnel were summoned and officers broke the passenger side rear window of the vehicle to gain access to Garrett. Garrett then woke up, quickly moved into the driver's seat, put the Envoy in reverse, and recklessly backed out of the driveway, nearly striking an officer, Forrester explained.
The Envoy accelerated rapidly and drove off, and officers were unable to immediately locate the vehicle or Garrett.
At approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday, an officer observed a white 2002 Envoy pull into the parking lot of the Budget King Motel, 809 North Broadway Boulevard. The vehicle had on it a license plate stolen out of Sedgwick County, Forrester noted.
Officers viewed the surveillance video from the motel and observed Garrett exiting the vehicle and running toward the northwest corner of the parking lot. Motel staff told officers that Garrett was renting a room in the motel, Forrester explained. Officers went to room No. 16 and found a female and another male, Cassius Johnson, 37, of Salina, in the room.
According to Forrester, Johnson had an outstanding warrant through Saline County District Court for aggravated battery and felon in possession of a weapon and a Salina Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear. He was not cooperative and officers had to enter the room and take him into custody, Forrester noted.
Garrett was found hiding in a nearby car and was taken into custody, Forrester explained.
Garrett was arrested on suspicion of the following for the March 31 incident, Forrester noted.
Aggravated assault
Felony interference with a law enforcement officer
Reckless driving
Driving while suspended
Failure to stop at a stop sign
Racing on highways
Improper turn signal
No vehicle registration
Disturbing the peace.
Additionally, Garrett was arrested on suspicion of the following for the Tuesday incident, Forrester noted.
Possession of a stimulant
Felony possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal trespassing
Possession of stolen property
Driving while suspended
No vehicle registration
No proof of insurance
According to Forrester, Johnson was arrested on his warrants and on suspicion of felony interference with a law enforcement officer.