A suspect has been taken into custody after a Kansas Highway patrolman and a woman sustained injuries after an exchange of gunfire in Saline County following a chase involving a bank robbery suspect, according to the highway patrol. The chase ended at Gypsum Valley and Assaria Roads, southeast of Salina.
Law enforcement personnel pulled over a SUV matching the description of a vehicle involved with a bank robbery in Chase. During the stop, there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police, according to police.
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was transported with apparent injuries.
A woman driving in the car with the suspect was also reportedly injured. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported there were children in the car with the woman and suspect.
The suspect fled on foot and authorities set up a perimeter to hunt for the suspect. They used planes, helicopters, search dogs and several other units. He was apprehended at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
CHASE — The First Bank of Chase, 509 Main Street, occupies a brick building adjacent to the Chase police department at 507 Main.
But the part-time Chase police chief was off duty when an armed bank robber stole an undetermined amount of cash at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday. It is believed to be the first bank robbery since 1982 in Rice County.
Police have identified a possible suspect as Jason Michael Gleason, 30, who fled in a unknown direction driving a 1990s green Ford Explorer. The 6-5, 215-pound black male was described as wearing a black trench coat with long dreadlocks or possibly wearing a wig.
Rice County Sheriff Dale Higgins said two employees and two customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery. He said the two customers fled the building when the robbery took place.
Higgins said the suspect stood in line for a few moments before showing off an automatic pistol he had hidden in what was described as a women’s purse. He demanded money.
“I don’t believe anyone was threatened. When they were not moving as fast as he wanted, he vaulted the counter and took the money out of two different drawers,” Higgins said. “He produced a medium-sized silver automatic pistol.”
Higgins said the suspect fled on foot and drove away in a vehicle in an unknown direction. He said several rural locations were checked. He said a suspect was identified.
The Kansas Highway Patrol searched from the air Tuesday afternoon.
Agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation conducted interviews of the employees. Assistance was provided by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Rice County sheriff’s department, Lyons and Chase police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
