WICHITA, Kan. – A violent Kansas drug offender accused of ramming a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy's patrol vehicle will return to court Friday afternoon.
Thomas Torrez, 38, will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Eric Williams courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just after 1a.m. May 4, Wichita Police officers were recovering a stolen vehicle in the 4800 block of E. 21st Street North. During the recovery, Torrez—an occupant of the vehicle—fled the scene in the stolen car. He was not located during the initial incident.
Just before 8p.m., a Sedgwick County deputy spotted the same stolen vehicle using a Flock license plate reader at a McDonald’s drive-thru in the 4800 block of S. Broadway in Wichita. Torrez was behind the wheel with a female passenger.
The deputy positioned his patrol vehicle to block the stolen car, but Torrez accelerated, ramming the patrol unit. He then reversed into the building, drove over a curb and landscaping, and fled onto 47th Street. The deputy’s vehicle was disabled from the impact, and he was unable to pursue. The deputy sustained minor injuries as a result.
The deputy was “put out in trouble,” and charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer were broadcast to responding units.
While responding with lights and sirens, a second deputy collided with a civilian vehicle at the intersection of 47th Street and Hydraulic. The civilian vehicle was carrying five people—a 37-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman, and three children ages 6, 8, and 10. All suffered minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. No officers were actively pursuing the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash. This deputy sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.
Shortly after fleeing McDonald’s, the female passenger escaped the vehicle near Laura Street, north of 47th. She was located by officers and cooperated with the investigation. According to her statement, she tried to surrender during the initial stop and attempted multiple times to exit the vehicle, even using mace on Torrez.
Torrez later abandoned the stolen vehicle near 44th and Pattie and fled on foot. He then stole a second vehicle from a mobile home park in the 1000 block of E. MacArthur and led deputies on a brief pursuit, driving off-road in the area of O.J. Watson Park.
During his escape, Torrez caused a hit-and-run crash near Harry and McLean. The victim followed him to the area of Water and Zimmerly, where Torrez ditched the second vehicle and fled on foot.
On Tuesday, May 6, after extensive efforts by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrant Section, deputies identified Torrez at a multi-family housing unit in the 2500 block of N. Park Place, a location previously associated with him. Entry was made into the residence, where Torrez was found barricaded inside a refrigerator.
Despite multiple commands to surrender, Torrez refused to comply. A Sheriff's Office K-9 unit was deployed, which facilitated his apprehension. Following medical treatment, Torrez was booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.
Torrez was taken into custody on original felony warrants for failing to register as an offender and a probation violation related to criminal possession of a weapon. He also faces new charges related to the incidents on May 4 and May 6, including aggravated burglary, kidnapping, attempting to elude law enforcement, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement officers, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
Torrez has been listed as a violent drug offender following three felony convictions that include for selling illegal drugs and aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.