photo by: Contributed

Nicholas S. Atwell, left, was charged with several felonies in Douglas County District Court on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

A man who led police on a manhunt in June allegedly swerved his vehicle at police officers and almost struck pedestrians during the chase through downtown and East Lawrence, according to an affidavit supporting his arrest.

The man, Nicholas S. Atwell, 32, also allegedly hid from police in a home in an East Lawrence neighborhood without the homeowner’s knowledge.

Atwell was charged with aggravated burglary, interference with law enforcement, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, all of which are felonies. Atwell was also charged with criminal damage to property and transportation of liquor in an open container, both of which are misdemeanors.

According to a charging document provided to the Journal-World, the charges of aggravated assault are the result of Atwell allegedly putting two police officers in danger with the use of a deadly weapon, which is listed as his vehicle. The aggravated burglary charge is the result of Atwell allegedly entering a home in the 900 block of New Jersey Street without authority to do so and with the “intent to commit a felony.”

The pursuit led to a manhunt in East Lawrence, during which officers swarmed a neighborhood in an hourslong, unsuccessful search for the driver.

The affidavit supporting Atwell’s arrest was recently released to the Journal-World with some information redacted. Allegations in affidavits have not been proved in court, and defendants in criminal cases should be presumed not guilty unless and until they are convicted.

According to the affidavit:

Police were dispatched to the Bourgeois Pig, 6 East Ninth St., around 7 p.m. for a report of two men in a car parked outside the bar drinking in their vehicle. An officer who responded to the scene saw Atwell, who was in the driver’s seat, with an open beer can while in the vehicle.

When the officer tried to make contact with Atwell, Atwell looked at the officer and drove away. The officer then began following Atwell through downtown Lawrence. Multiple Lawrence police and Douglas County sheriff’s officers joined the chase, which lasted about 30 minutes.

Most of the chase occurred in downtown Lawrence. Officers said Atwell twice swerved his vehicle toward a responding officer’s vehicle, putting that officer in danger. He then drove into oncoming traffic on Massachusetts Street, nearly striking a pedestrian at the 11th and Massachusetts intersection. He then almost struck another pedestrian at the Ninth and Vermont intersection.

Atwell then led the pursuit into oncoming traffic on Sixth Street, running a red light and hitting a police vehicle. He eventually reached speeds of 80 mph on Sixth Street.

At one point in the area of Seventh and Maine streets, Atwell let the male passenger out of the vehicle, who later told police Atwwell was the driver. He said he had asked Atwell to let him out of the vehicle because he feared for his life during the pursuit.

Shortly after, Atwell drove south, against one-way traffic, on Kentucky Street before heading back to Massachusetts Street, where he almost struck another pedestrian. He then drove through parts of South Park, then struck another police vehicle.

Around 7:30 p.m., Atwell stopped his vehicle at 10th and New Jersey streets and fled on foot. Officers surrounded that area to search for Atwell, but disbanded the search around 10 p.m. when he couldn’t be found.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Lawrence Journal-World

Law enforcement was seen on the corner of 10th and Pennsylvania streets during a manhunt on Sunday, June 27, 2021. Nicholas S. Atwell was later arrested for several felonies stemming from the police pursuit.

Meanwhile, a resident in the area called police around 9:30 p.m. to report a man attempting to force his way into his home through the back door, which leads to a mud room. The man said he yelled at the intruder to stop and he called 911.

The man told police he did not believe the intruder was able to get into his home and he could not identify him because of a tapestry covering the door window. However, about an hour later, the man reported to police that the intruder had just run out of his backdoor. Officers responded to the area, but were still unable to locate Atwell.

As the Journal-World previously reported, Atwell was arrested the following day at his home. As of Monday afternoon, he was in Douglas County Jail custody on a $50,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 14.

According to the state’s offender registry, Atwell was previously convicted of drug charges and attempted rape and is currently on parole.