Suspected shoplifter takes police on chase through neighborhoods, yards

A suspected Walmart shoplifter led Lawrence police on a vehicle and foot chase Wednesday morning before being arrested.

According to Lawrence Police Sgt. Trent McKinley, police were called to Walmart, 3300 Iowa, about 10:30 a.m. after reports of a man in the store chasing someone with an ax or a hatchet.

The man — later identified as 35-year-old Andrew J. Sommer, Lawrence — fled in a vehicle before police arrived, but was located by police driving near 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue. Police tried to pull the vehicle over, but Sommer fled, driving through several yards in neighborhoods.

At some point, Sommer’s vehicle became boxed in between cars and houses, and he fled on foot, McKinley said. Police lost sight of the suspect but later arrested him at a residence in the area.

Sommer was booked into jail on charges of theft, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and driving while suspended.

McKinley said they were able to determine that Sommer did not threaten anyone at the store.