SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a late night law enforcement chase.
Just after 1:30a.m. Wednesday, a K9 unit with the Shawnee County sheriff's office attempted to make a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima that had a license plate that did not belong to that car, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.
The driver, later identified as 55-year-old Mark L. Ware, refused to stop and that initiated a pursuit near SW 17th and SW McAlister Avenue in Topeka. The pursuit ended in the 2400 Block of SW Huntoon Street when the car spun out, struck a curb and stopped in the grass.
Deputies found a loaded handgun and an open container of alcohol in the car. Deputies arrested Ware on requested charges of felony flee and elude, felon in possession of a handgun, DUI, transporting an open container of liquor, tag not assigned, driving the wrong-way on a one-way road, failure to stop at a stop sign and a city of Topeka warrant.
Ware has previous convictions for theft, flee or attempt to elude and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.