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Monday night police chase, crash leads to arrest on multiple charges
Police Chase Damage
A temporary stop sign is pictured on the southwest corner of the 24th St. and Main St. intersection in front of the remnants of the control box damaged in Monday night’s chase which led to the arrest of Kristopher Chappell. The City of Great Bend announced the intersection will be a four-way stop until further notice. - photo by Daniel Kiewel
Kristopher Chappell
Kristopher Chappell

Thirty-eight year old Kristopher Chappell was arrested on multiple charges after he led Great Bend Police Department and Barton County Sheriff’s officers on pursuit in Great Bend Monday night. 

At approximately 10:49 pm. Monday, a GBPD officer conducted a traffic stop in the 3800 block of 12th St. on a 1998 Accura ATL, for a traffic violation. 

According to the GBPD, The driver, later identified as Chappell, failed to produce identification and provided a false name. Barton County Communications advised the vehicle identification number returned stolen out of Topeka. As the officer attempted to make an arrest, Chappell fled the scene in his vehicle northbound on McKinley St. GBPD officers and BCSO deputies pursued Chappell. During the pursuit, Chappell struck a BCSO deputy’s vehicle. Chappell reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. 

Stop sticks were deployed, and Chappell crashed into an electrical box at 24th and Main St. Chappell then exited and fled from the vehicle, westbound through Brit Spaugh Zoo. Police K-9 Menta was deployed for a track. Chappell was later located by an officer along the northwest fence line of Brit Spaugh Zoo. 

Along with GBPD and BCSO charges, which included possession of stolen vehicle, felony flee and elude, felony criminal damage to property, aggravated battery of law enforcement, interference with a law enforcement officer, reckless driving and multiple traffic infractions, Chappell also had an extraditable felony warrant out of Colorado. The passenger of the vehicle, Gerald Martin, 56, was detained and later released. 

The Great Bend Fire Department and Great Bend Street Department personnel responded to the scene. There were no reported injuries.

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information on this or any other case is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.