Great Bend resident Nicholas Kramer, 33, was arrested Wednesday evening after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a pursuit after striking a law enforcement vehicle.
According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, BCSO deputies had just finished executing a search warrant in Great Bend when they became aware of a Great Bend Police Department vehicle that had been struck by a suspect vehicle.
The GBPD officer had stopped a vehicle in the 3300 block of 10th St., because the motorist, Kramer, was driving with no headlights as required. The officer contacted the driver and became aware that he might be intoxicated.
The suspect vehicle initially fled from the GBPD officer, then stopped and backed into the police car twice. Kramer then again drove off. Several BCSO deputies responded to the area to assist the GBPD.
At one point a BCSO sergeant blocked the vehicle’s escape at the intersection of 10th and Grant streets. It struck the rear of the BSCO car and Kramer continued to flee from officers.
The pursuit continued to the west side of Great Bend and went north on K-96 toward 24th St. At this point, GBPD opted to discontinue the pursuit and BCSO intervened. The suspect vehicle continued north on K-96 to 24th Street, where it turned east.
A BCSO vehicle was alongside Kramer attempting to keep the vehicle boxed in, while Kramer swerved at the BCSO vehicle several times. The suspect then drove into the cemetery on 24th Street. Due to the extreme danger posed to the general public, a BCSO sergeant decided rather than allow the vehicle back on city streets it should be stopped in the cemetery.
A BCSO vehicle intentionally pushed the rear of the suspect vehicle, causing it to spin out, at which point a Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit was able to box in the suspect. The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy had been involved in the earlier search warrant and was assisting in the pursuit.
Kramer was arrested at the scene. He was transported to the Barton County Jail without incident where he was booked on charges of three counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, three counts of criminal damage to property, aggravated battery with DUI and felony flee and elude. His bond is set at $100,000.
