SEDGWICK COUNTY.—A man jailed on federal crime allegations who was arrested after a chase and crash will return to court Thursday.
Erik Harper, 37, is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Rodger Woods, courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In December, Wichita police, with help from the Kansas Highway Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Harper who was wanted on federal and state warrants after a pursuit and crash.
Just after 2p.m. December 30, officers spotted Harper driving a stolen 2004 GMC Sierra near East Central Avenue and North Oliver Avenue in Wichita, according to a media release from police.
Harper was wanted on a federal warrant and a felony state warrant for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. Officers followed the truck and requested assistance from the KHP Air Support Unit.
A Kansas Highway Patrol unit equipped with a grappler attempted a traffic stop near East Central Avenue and North Edgemoor Street. The grappler was deployed to prevent the suspect vehicle from fleeing, but Harper escaped. Shortly afterward, the Haper's vehicle collided with a 2024 Subaru Impreza in the westbound lanes near the 6800 block of East Central Avenue.
Officers took Harper into custody at 4:53 p.m.
The Subaru’s occupants, a 72-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Harper was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and later transferred to Butler County Jail. He was charged with robbery, eluding police and aggravated battery.