On Monday, April 22nd, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was informed that the Clay Center Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were engaged in a high-speed pursuit with a vehicle. The vehicle in question was traveling northbound on highway K-15. Washington County officers promptly responded and joined the chase as it entered Washington County via highways K-9/K-15.
During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle exhibited dangerous behavior, reaching speeds exceeding 100 mph and driving recklessly. The suspect also forced multiple vehicles off the road. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, Stop Sticks were deployed in the Linn area, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful as the suspect vehicle veered off the road to avoid them. It was during this time and location that a patrol car from the Clay Center Police Department was involved in an accident. Thankfully, the officer sustained no injuries, and the vehicle suffered only minor damage.
As the chase continued, the suspect vehicle lost control on the east side of the roadway near Industrial Park Drive on K-15, on the south side of Washington. This caused the vehicle to enter the ditch at a high speed and collide with an embankment, resulting in it becoming airborne and rolling over. The vehicle eventually came to a stop on the north side of the intersection. Responding to the scene were various law enforcement agencies and emergency services, including the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office K9, Kansas Highway Patrol, Washington Fire Department, Washington EMS, Linn EMS, and the Kansas Department of Transportation. All three occupants of the suspect vehicle, identified as Robert D Allen (the driver) from Bellevue, WA, Rylee L Linders (a passenger) from Bellevue, WA, and a female juvenile passenger, sustained injuries and were transported to Washington County Hospital for treatment.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect vehicle had evaded law enforcement earlier in the day before entering Clay and Washington counties. The driver, Robert D Allen, was found to have a felony warrant from Washington State for Escape from Custody and Assault. Allen is currently in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
