FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon after a wild chase in Franklin County.
On October 14, sheriff's deputies attempted a traffic stop in the 2500 Block of East Logan Street in Ottawa, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.
The driver, later identified as 36-year-old Aaron Ayers of Wellsville, refused to stop, accelerated erratically on Kansas 68 Highway. Once Ayers reached the 3300 Block of East 68 Highway, near the Walmart Distribution Center, a deputy completed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver in an attempt to end the pursuit for the safety of the public.
This caused the vehicle to exit the north side of the road and stop briefly. However, Ayers was able to continue driving before he was taken into custody.
The vehicle traveled through a yard on private property, through a fence and into a pasture. Once Ayers began driving through private property, deputies did not follow.
Ayers continued driving to the northeast corner of the pasture, through two more fences and into a tree line where deputies lost sight of him.
Members of the Ottawa Police Department responded to assist with a perimeter and multiple drones were deployed to help locate the vehicle. After a lengthy search, officers located the vehicle that had crash damage in the trees. Officers responded on foot, located the driver in the truck and with the assistance of the Osage County K9 unit took Ayers into custody.
He was offered medical attention by Franklin County EMS, transported to Advent Health for evaluation, discharged and is now in the jail on requested charges of Battery of a Law enforcement officer, driving while revoked, reckless driving, felony flee and elude and felony criminal damage to property. Ayers has previous conviction for drugs and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.