2nd chase
hits 72 mph on dirt roads

An aborted chase early Sunday on dirt roads at speeds of up to 72 mph led to the arrest of a Lincolnville man.

Deputy Aaron Slater attempted to stop a blue 2002 Toyota Corolla registered to a Wichita man and a Lincolnville woman, apparently a relative of the suspect, at 12:10 a.m. at 300th and Pawnee Rds., according to Undersheriff Larry Starkey and monitored police transmissions.

The Corolla instead headed south on Pawnee, a dirt road. Slater reported clocking the Corolla at 72 mph near 310th Rd. before losing its taillights in a cloud of dust north of 300th Rd.

Following the cloud to the west, Slater and fellow deputy Regier discovered the car less than half a mile from the intersection at a farm that appears to be owned by a relative of the suspect.

No other vehicles were on the roads at the time, Starkey said.

After deputy Presley Mabe joined them the two deputies, Slater had his drug-sniffing dog, Blue, smell the car.

Slater reported that the dog had indicated the presence of illicit drugs, but the deputies apparently were unable to locate any as no drug charges were alleged.

Taken into custody was Brandon L. Klenda, 37, Lincolnville.

He was jailed on suspicion of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, failing to have vehicle liability insurance, and driving while his license was suspended. He also was held on a Geary County warrant for failing to appear in court there.