By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A seatbelt enforcement stop that turned into a pursuit ended with the arrests of two people from Salina Wednesday afternoon.
Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that an officer conducting seatbelt enforcement in the 1200 block of W. Crawford Street noticed a driver in a Ford Fiesta who was not buckled up. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The car pulled into a parking lot, but then rapidly accelerated north on S. Broadway Boulevard, reaching 60 mph, Forrester said.
The driver then turned eastbound on W. South Street and drove in the area, eventually ending up on Morrison Avenue, where the driver, identified as Miguel Villefranc, 33, of Salina, abandoned the car in the middle of the street and fled on foot, Forrester said.
Witnesses reported that Villefranc had possibly run into a residence in the 400 block of Baker Street. The officer, who had K-9 Tyrann with him, released Tyrann to track Villefranc. Tyrann tracked him to the residence reported by witnesses.
Forrester said the officer made contact with a woman in the residence, identified as Allysa Haith, 30, of Salina. Haith allegedly told the officer that she was the only person in the house and that she did not know Villefranc.
Neighbors, however, told police that they saw Villefranc run into the house. Additionally, after investigating the matter, it was determined that Haith did, indeed, have an association with Villefranc, Forrester said.
A search warrant for the residence was obtained from Saline County District Court and Villefranc was found hiding in a closet in the residence. Officers also allegedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in a sweatshirt Villefranc had been wearing, Forrester said.
Villefranc was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester said.
●Flee and elude
●Felony interference with a law enforcement officer
●Possession of methamphetamine
●Possession of drug paraphernalia
●Numerous traffic violations
Haith was arrested on the following requested charges, according to Forrester.
●Felony interference
●Obstructing apprehension or prosecution committed during a felony