SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a vehicle theft and have made an arrest.
Just before 8:30 a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to take a report of a stolen vehicle in the 600 block of NW Highway 24. The owner of the vehicle does not live in the State of Kansas, and the vehicle contained thousands of dollars-worth of tools, personal items, and two firearms, according to Police Lt. Matt Danielson.
After the vehicle description was given to other officers, it was located in the area of NW Morse and NW Eugene in Topeka. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 30-year-old Troy Baker of Topeka, fled the area, but it was located quickly by other officers a short distance away.
The vehicle then fled a second time, and then stopped in the 1000 block of NW Jackson Street. After stopping, Baker got out and ran from officers. A brief foot pursuit ensued, but he was caught and arrested in a nearby alley.
At the conclusion of the investigation, officers were able to recover and return the vast majority of the victim’s property. Troy Baker remains in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a $50,000 bond on requested charges of Felony Theft, Interference with Law Enforcement Officer and Criminal Damage to Property.
Baker has previous convictions for burglary and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.
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