A Larned man faces burglary charges and similar charges are pending against a Great Bend juvenile after a Great Bend man recognized their car as one involved in a burglary on his property, and pursed, rammed and shot at them early Wednesday morning, according a new release from the Barton Count Sheriff’s Office.
Jon Panning chased the vehicle into the country into a field west of town after hitting their car with his pick-up, and fired a shotgun, striking one of the two fleeing suspects. Panning was arrested for aggravated battery.
According to the BCSO release, Clayton Smith, Larned, remains in the Barton County jail. He was discovered near where the vehicles came to rest with injuries to his face from the shotgun blast and was treated at Great Bend Regional Hospital. The juvenile injured himself his leg trying to jump over a fence and was also treated at GBRH.
At about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, Panning “observed a vehicle in his neighborhood that he believed may have been involved in a burglary to his property,” the release said. “Panning got into his vehicle and followed the suspicious vehicle.”
The suspects attempted to flee from Panning, traveling west of Great Bend into the country. “Panning struck the suspicious vehicle two or three times while pursuing.”
The suspects traveled into a stubble field in the 1100 block of NW 10 Road. Panning followed and fired one shot towards them. “The suspicious vehicle stopped and the occupants fled,” the release said.
Panning stopped his vehicle in front of one of the occupants and called law enforcement. “Deputies responded and observed one occupant lying in the field in front of Panning’s vehicle.” This was the juvenile.
Smith was discovered near by.
Stolen items were recovered in the suspect vehicle. Panning has since been release on bond.
The case remains under investigation. Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong would not comment on the actions taken by Panning.