A pursuit of an Ellis County escapee that began Sunday morning in Hoisington ended when the suspect lost control of a stolen car at 31st and Washington Ave. in Great Bend. He was not injured and is back in custody.
Matthew A. Kloke, 20, of Hays, was first arrested at a Hays motel at 4 a.m. Sunday by Hays Police on an arrest warrant issued by the Ellis County District Court, the Hays Daily News reports. Officers reportedly handcuffed Kloke and placed him in a police cruiser, then went back inside to check on a juvenile in the motel room. During that brief time, Kloke was able to free himself from the handcuffs and flee on foot.
Authorities believe he stole a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix that was left running and unattended in Hays.
Hoisington Police Chief Kenton Doze said one of his officers spotted the stolen car around 8:30 a.m. and tried to stop it. The driver headed south toward Great Bend, reaching speeds of 100 mph.
Meanwhile, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and the Great Bend Police Department got involved. A GBPD officer put out spike strips in the 3200 block of Washington and Kloke lost control of the car when he attempted avoid them. The car rolled and struck a fence.
Kloke was booked into the Barton County Jail, where he remained Monday afternoon, on charges that included felony flee and elude and reckless driving, with bonds totaling $7,500. However, Kloke also has a hold order from Ellis County, on charges that include felony theft and possession of stolen property.
Kansas Highway Patrol handled the accident report and GBPD did a supplement report for the Hoisington Police Department case.