Hays Post
Mar 16, 2020

Police catch Kan. felon after crash in stolen car with 3 children

Posted Mar 16, 2020 4:00 PM

Seth Finch photo Saline County 

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged theft

 A police officer on patrol Sunday night in the Salina recognized a white 2013 Hyundai Elantra traveling northbound in the 1900 block of Haskett Avenue as one that had been stolen Thursday in the 400 block of South College Avenue in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The officer believed the driver was Seth Finch, 25, of Salina, who had active felony warrants and who had been reported as a possible suspect in the theft of the car.

The officer saw the car turn into a driveway in the 700 block of Smith Avenue, Forrester said. While the officer was waiting for backup, he observed a female in the front passenger seat and several juveniles in the back seat, he said.

A short time later Finch started the car and drove it through the yard of the residence, through a fence, and into a tree. Finch then jumped out of the car and fled on foot.

The officer made contact with the other occupants of the car, a 34-year-old woman, and three girls, ages 6, 7, and 10, according to Forrester. All four complained of head pain due to the crash. The two youngest girls were not in child safety restraints.

A K9 was deployed to track Finch, and he was located a short time later under a workbench in an open detached garage in the 600 block of Maple Avenue, Forrester said.

Finch was arrested on a felony probation violation warrant out of Saline County and a felony probation violation warrant out of Dickinson County, as well as on requested charges of Fleeing and eluding resulting in a motor vehicle accident, Felony interference with a law enforcement officer, Three counts of aggravated endangerment of a child, Burglary, Possession of stolen property, Damage to property, Driving while suspended, Reckless driving, Two counts of child passenger safety and No proof of insurance. 

Finch has previous convictions for obstruction, driving while suspended and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Damage to a seven-foot section of the fence was estimated at $100, Forrester said. There was no damage estimate for the vehicle.