SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Kansas men for multiple forgeries.
Just before 10a.m. February 7, officers were called to First Bank Kansas, 235 South Santa Fe Avenue in Salina for the report of Timothy J. Halpain, 29, of Salina, attempting to cash a forged check, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
When officers arrived, a gray 2006 Honda Civic driven by Michael D. Metzger, 32, of Salina, with Halpain in the passenger seat, pulled out of the bank parking lot onto South Santa Fe Avenue, Forrester said.
Halpain and Metzger were known to be suspects in multiple forgeries in which forged checks were cashed at businesses throughout Salina since January 2.
The officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but the car headed west on West Walnut Street at approximately 40 mph. The chase continued through mutliple west-central Salina neighborhoods, sometimes reaching speeds as high as 50 mph, according to Forrester.
The Civic eventually headed west on Crawford, ran a red light at the Broadway Boulevard intersection and continued west out of Salina at speeds up to 100 mph, according to Forrester. As the Salina Police Department ended its pursuit, the car was seen traveling south on South Burma Road.
Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said deputies picked up the pursuit at that point. The car, which had a spare "donut" tire on the back, continued at 65-70 mph, he said. The vehicle turned west on West Water Well Road, south on South Powers Road, and west on West Farrelly Road until it attempted to turn north onto South Link Road by the Smoky Hill Weapons Range and turned in front of a Saline County Sheriff's Office SUV, causing a collision, and ending the chase, Soldan said.
The chase ended near the intersection of West Farrelly Road and South Link Road photo Saline Co. Sheriff.
Both suspects and the deputy driving the SUV complained of back pain and were transported to Salina Regional Health Center, where they were treated and released, according to Soldan. Metzger and Halpain were taken to Jail.
Once the Salina Police Department's pursuit ended on West Crawford Street, officers went back to First Bank Kansas and learned that Halpain had been attempting to cash an $865 check on the account of Salina Investments, LLC, Motel 6. The bank had been alerted by Salina Investments after six other fraudulent checks totaling approximately $4,000, had been written and cashed on the company's account.
Metzger and Halpain are suspected in the following other forged check cases including Maggie Mae's Bar & Grill account for $450, Two checks totaling $1,600 forged on the account of Southwest Deed and Title
Five checks totaling approximately $2,600 forged on the account of Team Employment.
Metzger is being. held on requested charges that include Felony flee and elude, Driving while suspended, Numerous traffic violations, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, Seven requested counts of forgery, making or altering, Seven requested counts of forgery, distributing Seven requested counts of making false information and Theft by deception.
Halpain is being held on eight requested counts of forgery, making or altering, Eight requested counts of forgery, distributing, Eight requested counts of making false information and Theft by deception.