JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a high-speed chase.
Just before 11 p.m. Monday, sheriff's deputies stopped a 2003 GMC Yukon at U.S. Highway 75 and 150th Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
Upon contact with the occupants, the female passenger was identified, but the male passenger allegedly used false name to identify himself.
After believing the driver was giving false information he was asked to step out of the vehicle. The driver then attempted to put the vehicle into drive and flee as deputies were at the vehicle.
The driver then fled from law enforcement driving back north on U.S. 75 at high rate of speed and evading tire deflation devices at just north of 214th Road, according to Morse.
The vehicle entered Holton City limits and attempted to evade the tire deflation device deployed by the Holton Police Department but was unsuccessful.
At U.S. 75 and 246th, the driver lost the front driver side tire of the vehicle due to the spike strip. The SUV then traveled down into the ditch.
At this time deputies could see the passenger with her hands out the window and opening the door to trying to exit the vehicle.
The vehicle came to a stop as as the driver tried to get back onto the highway at 262nd Road.
The driver later identified Liberto Rey Rodriguez Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas, exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
He is being held on requested charges of Fleeing or attempting to Elude Law enforcement, avoiding tire deflation devices, reckless driving, felony Interference with Law enforcement, criminal restraint, driving while suspended, possession of stolen property, no proof of insurance, expired registration. Rodriquez was also wanted by the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation warrant for aggravated robbery. The female passenger was not arrested.