Jan 20, 2021

Kan. man jailed after police watch him run with items from store

Posted Jan 20, 2021 1:00 AM
Blanton photo Sedgwick Co.
Blanton photo Sedgwick Co.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a theft and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11:30a.m. Jan. 14, police observed a suspect later identified as 25-year-old Kevin Blanton of Wichita exit and employee entrance at Target in the 7500 Block of West Maple in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Blanton ran to a Grey Infiniti Q50, threw a vacuum and other items from the store into the SUV and drove from the parking lot at a hight rate of speed. Police attempted to stop Blanton.  He failed to stop, drove the SUV over a curb and ran from the vehicle while leaving it in drive, according to Cruz.

The officer tracked Blanton down at a residence in the 8000 Block of West Maple and took him into custody. He remains in the Sedgwick County jail on requested charges of theft, criminal damage to property and flee and elude and a misdemeanor warrant.