SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on December 15, in the 1100 block of South West Washburn Ave, where a male subject struck a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy with a vehicle.
Shortly before 3:30 Dec. 22, members of the Fugitive Warrants Unit, Uniformed Patrol Division, K-9 Unit, and Investigations Division, responded to the 1400 block of South West 72nd Terrace in Shawnee County to execute a felony arrest warrant for the subject wanted in connection with striking the deputy.
While at that location, deputies arrested 39-year-old James Rich of Topeka. During execution of the warrant, deputies also arrested the homeowner identified as 53-year-old James Allen Jr., of Topeka on an unrelated warrant.
Rich was booked into the Shawnee County Department of corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal damage to property, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, felony theft, and a fugitive from justice charge in connection with a felony absconder charge from the Michigan Department of Corrections. The sheriff's office released no additional details on the deputy's condition or recovery.