A high-speed chase that started Wednesday night on U.S. Highway 59 about three miles north of the Baldwin Junction ended in south Baldwin City with a foot chase and arrest.

The suspect, Jon Neely, 41, faces nine charges, mostly felonies, related to the chase. After being taken to Douglas County Jail, he complained of a medical condition, was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and escaped to bring even more charges before being captured again.

“He’s a bad boy,” said Baldwin City Police Sgt. Gregg Schiffelbein, adding that there isn’t an indication of where the man is from, other than his car is registered in California.

Among the charges against him from Baldwin City are aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Schiffelbein said a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy began pursuit on U.S. 59 but couldn’t get the vehicle stopped and said it was headed for the Baldwin Junction.

“Another deputy called and said the vehicle was coming into Baldwin City at a high rate of speed,” he said. “We set up at 11th and Ames and Eighth and Ames. He clipped a vehicle near Ninth and Ames at 70 to 80 miles per hour.

“We started pursuit but discontinued because there were a lot of people out,” said Schiffelbein. “He continued through town and was westbound on High Street. He ran a stop sign at Eighth and High, and witnesses said he was traveling south.”

Police found the vehicle abandoned at Eighth and Orange streets. Witnesses told police they saw a white male running from the vehicle.

“We located the suspect hiding in a field near the city (electrical) plant,” he said. “A foot pursuit started, and a Taser was deployed. He broke away from the Taser, and foot pursuit continued.”

Schiffelbein caught up with the man soon afterward, but not before he brought the aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer by twice picking up rocks and throwing them.