An armed robbery in Beatrice just after midnight Tuesday led to a pursuit Wednesday morning that passed south from Beatrice, through Wymore, then into Marshall County on U.S. Highway 77, ending at the state line near Summerfield. The chase went east on Kansas Highway 233, then back north on 20th Road where the stop was made. Two men were arrested as their vehicle was disabled when shots were fired at the car’s tires by authorities.
Bond was set at one half million dollars for Jonathon Klein, age 23, of Beatrice, the driver of the vehicle. He and a passenger, Wesley O’Keefe Jr. were taken into custody. They had left a Beatrice apartment which was under surveillance around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Marshall County and Marysville police officers picked up the chase at the state line, and were successful in making the stop. Charges against Klein include suspicion of robbery, use of a weapon to commit a felony, willful reckless driving, and driving while suspended. O’Keefe was arrested on an active Gage County warrant, and faces theft charges in addition to being a fugitive. No injuries were sustained in the robbery, or the chase.
Shots fired disabled the vehicle, but did not strike either suspect, which were not armed. A third man believed to have been involved with the robbery is being sought.