A Russell man has been arrested on multiple charges in connection with a Thursday night chase in Great Bend which went through multiple yards, hit several stop signs and other property, damaged two patrol cars, nearly ran over a Great Bend Police officer trying to deploy stop sticks, and when it ended in a crash led to discovery of suspected drugs.
A Barton County Sheriff’s Deputy had attempted to stop a car in the 1500 block of Morphy in Great Bend seen speeding and running stop signs. When the deputy activated emergency equipment the vehicle’s driver, identified as Trenton Berens, turned off his headlights and tried to flee.
At least three interventions were unsuccessfully tried as the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 70 miles an hour. After deputies were authorized to use whatever force necessary, another intervention caused a spin out that took out the right rear tire. That still didn’t stop Berens who continued to flee, eventually ending up at Railroad and Main where he struck a fire hydrant that caused the vehicle to roll once into a building on Main.
Berens was removed from the vehicle, arrested and checked by EMS before being taken to the Barton County Jail. After the crash, K9 Deputy Rem picked up on the presence of controlled substances, suspected to be methamphetamine.
Barnes, who has a history of fleeing from law enforcement officers, is being held on a $250,000 bond, a judge authorizing a higher than normal bond due to the circumstances at the request of the Barton County Attorney. He faces two counts of aggravated assault, one involving law enforcement, felony flee and elude ,possession of methamphetamine driving while suspended, and more than a dozen separate traffic citations.
