A Solomon man was arrested after an alleged altercation in central Salina and a subsequent pursuit into Saline County on Saturday.
Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East Iron Avenue at 4:30 p.m. Saturday where a 56-year-old Salina man and a 30-year-old Salina woman reported an altercation with Evan Howie, 33, of Solomon. According to Forrester, the man was struck numerous times with a branch and a brick and the woman was struck with the brick when it was thrown at her, causing her to drop her cellphone. The woman told police that Howie then took her cell phone that was valued at $50. The man had a $10 pair of sunglasses broken during the altercation, he added. Howie allegedly also struck the man's 2006 Ford 500 when he was leaving, causing approximately $500 damage, Forrester noted.
According to Forrester, officers were advised the suspect left in a white or gray Buick. An officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 200 block of South Kansas Avenue. The vehicle continued north on Kansas Avenue to East Elm Street, east on East Elm Street to North Ohio Street, north on North Ohio Street to Old Highway 40 and east on Old Highway 40, Forrester reported. At that point, the pursuit was turned over to Saline County Sheriff's deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), he explained. KHP was able to conduct a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) on the car in the 3000 block of North Whitmore Road, ending the pursuit, Forrester noted.
Howie was arrested on the following requested charges, according to Forrester.
Two counts of aggravated battery
Theft
Damage to property
Flee and elude in the commission of a felony
Multiple traffic offenses