MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for alleged theft and other crimes after a three county chase.
On April 29, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting the theft of a Penske box truck from Pete's Gas Station, 401 W. Main in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.
The caller indicated that the stolen truck was traveling east on U.S. 160, east of Independence. Deputies quickly located the truck on U.S. 160 and County Road 5100. Despite activating their lights and sirens, the truck failed to stop, leading to a vehicle pursuit.
The truck turned north onto U.S. 169, where the Cherryvale Police Department joined the chase and attempted to use spike strips to stop the truck.
However, the initial attempt with stop sticks was unsuccessful, and the truck continued, turning east onto U.S. 400. The Parsons Police Department made another attempt to deploy stop sticks, but the suspects made dangerous maneuvers to avoid them.
The Labette County Sheriff's Office then joined the pursuit, with the truck weaving through various county roads in Labette County before rejoining U.S. 400 and heading into Cherokee County.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit. This time, the use of stop sticks was successful, and the truck eventually came to a halt in the middle of the roadway.
Deputies took into custody two female suspects, identified as 34-year-old Sumer Young of Independence, Kansas, and 36-year-old Sierra Vernon of Coffeyville, Kansas.
Both suspects remain in the Montgomery County Department of Corrections (DOC). Young is being held on requested charges including fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, theft, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving with a suspended license, and driving left of center.
Vernon was booked on a requested charge of theft.