The whereabouts of Errol Sutton, a man who police suspect assaulted a woman in Topeka more than a week ago and who was later seen in Tonganoxie, continues to flummox authorities.

But officials in Tonganoxie believe that it’s safe to say he’s no longer in the area.

“We just assume he’s out of the area, probably in (Kansas City, Kan.), where he blends in a little better than around here,” said Mike Vestal, Tonganoxie mayor and police dispatcher.

Police there have had no leads about where Sutton may be after he was last seen in Tonganoxie on May 18, days after police in Topeka searched for him.

Topeka police believe he may have tried to kill a woman there after sexually assaulting her on May 16.

A Topeka police lieutenant said Saturday they have no new information about Sutton’s whereabouts.

He reportedly stole a car in Topeka and drove it to Tonganoxie, where a policeman spotted him at a Sonic Drive-In, 650 Northstar Court, not far from Tonganoxie High School, 404 E. Highway 24-40.

That led schools in Leavenworth County to take extra safety precautions last week.

Vestal said Saturday that police expected reports of another break-in or burglary after he abandoned the stolen car, but none came in.

“Usually there’s a break-in to get more food or some new clothes,” he said.

Vestal said Sutton who carried an Arizona driver’s license and was transient likely had few ties to the area.

“He’s wandering the countryside someplace,” he said.