Wichita, KS – A kidnapping investigation quickly escalated into a vehicle crash, foot chase, and arrests Thursday afternoon after police located a stolen vehicle with two armed 17-year-old suspects, authorities said.
Initial Investigation
Around 11:45 a.m., the Wichita Police Department (WPD) was notified of a potential 16-year-old kidnapping victim who was reportedly in a stolen vehicle with two suspects. Using the FLOCK camera system, officers tracked the vehicle from downtown Wichita to west Wichita.
Through the investigation, police determined the girl was not kidnapped but a runaway, and the suspects had already dropped her off at her home.
Suspected Threat to a School
Captain Ronald Hunt said officers then received information indicating the suspects were armed and may have been heading to a school with intentions to target someone. “That caused additional concern for us,” Hunt explained.
Pursuit and Crash
With support from the Maize Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol Air Patrol, the suspect SUV was located near 29th and Tyler, traveling southbound.
As the vehicle approached 21st and Tyler, the driver ran a red light and crashed into three other vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured, Hunt said. Both 17-year-old suspects fled on foot following the crash.
Foot Chase and Arrests
One suspect was quickly apprehended after being bitten by a police K-9, and he was found carrying a weapon. A perimeter was established, and local businesses were advised to lock doors and windows while authorities searched for the second teen.
Using assistance from Maize Police, KHP Air, and WPD drones, officers located the second teen hiding in bushes and arrested him as well.
Weapons Recovered
Two additional firearms were recovered from the stolen vehicle, including at least one reported stolen, removing potentially dangerous weapons from the community.
“We are thankful no one was seriously hurt,” Hunt said as per KWCH. “We were able to get two suspects into custody and recover three firearms off the street.”
School Lockout
While the specific school was not officially confirmed by police, East High School briefly went on a lockout lasting about 10 minutes. Wichita Public Schools emphasized that there was no ongoing threat to students or staff.
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