SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a chase in a stolen pickup.
Just after 1p.m. Friday, a patrol officer in the 700 block of North Ninth Street in Salina observed Joshua Quested, 32, of Salina, driving a 2001 Ford F150 pickup, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
The officer knew that Quested had an active warrant for a probation violation, so he began pursuit of the pickup.
During the pursuit, the pickup traveled on multiple streets in north Salina, sometimes at speeds in excess of the posted limits, and almost hit two other motorists.
The pickup drove through multiple stop signs and multiple properties, eventually heading west on West North Street and catching southbound Interstate 135 at State Street.
Just before reaching the West Crawford Street exit, Quested turned east through the median and the northbound I-135 lanes, traveled into the east ditch and through a Kansas Department of Transportation fence, coming out onto Westport Boulevard, where he drove through a fence at Romm Chiropractic, 660 Westport Boulevard in Salina, according to Forrester.
Quested then traveled east on West Crawford Street and turned south on Willow Drive and abandoned the pickup in the 1600 block of Redwood Drive.
Police found him nearby running through some yards on Redwood Drive and took him into custody on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, Spilling loads on a highway, Littering, Driving while suspended, No proof of insurance, Criminal damage to property, Trespassing and Felony possession of stolen property. He has previous convictions for theft, burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated escape from custody and fleeing a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.