Topeka man arrested on auto-theft charge

Lawrence police officers have arrested a Topeka man suspected of a vehicle theft and other crimes after an incident at 6:35 a.m. Sunday that investigators were still trying to sort out Sunday afternoon.

Police were called to the parking lot of America’s Best Value Inn, 515 McDonald Drive, on a report of vehicle theft, and officers were told a person there might have a gun, Sgt. Craig Shanks said. Officers found one person in a vehicle there, and two other people left the scene in a separate vehicle.

After a brief chase, the two suspects abandoned the vehicle on North Yorkshire Drive, Shanks said. The driver was arrested in the area. No one was injured, Shanks said.

“The reports are still being sorted out. So are the details from the interviews,” he said.

He did say that officers arrested a Topeka man on charges including automobile theft and attempted automobile theft. Officers were also looking into several reported overnight thefts, car break-ins and burglaries, Shanks said.

According to Douglas County Jail records, the 26-year-old Topeka man was arrested on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of theft, one count of attempted theft, methamphetamine possession, and fleeing or eluding officers.

Still more people were arrested on outstanding warrants in other cities. Shanks said everyone involved was from Topeka and that officers believe some of the suspects knew some of the victims.