Ark Valley News - Area chase pulls in Park City officers

Area chase pulls in Park City officers
By David Dinell
Last Updated: September 03, 2015

Law enforcement officers from Wichita enlisted the help of Park City police during an early morning pursuit Aug. 30.

The incident began in Wichita at the intersection of 13th and Oliver and continued north on Oliver. Park City police got involved at about 2:54 a.m. at the intersection of Oliver and 61st North after they heard a broadcast for chase assistance through an all-channel call.

Park City police were asked to lay down a spike strip in an effort to disable the vehicle, but weren't able to get in position at the correct time, said Chief Phil Bostian.

"Getting them (spikes) in the right place at the right time is difficult and safety is a huge issue as there are a number of police officers who are killed each year putting out the road strips," Bostian said. "People either accidentally, or more often, deliberately, run over them."

Bostian doesn't know what the driver was being chased for, but said the incident came to an end at the corner of Oliver and 101st North after the driver lost control. According to a Sedgwick County's Sheriff's report, the driver, Kevin Lopez-Perez, struck a street sign. He fled the scene on foot, but was later apprehended. He was not listed as an inmate of the county jail as of late Aug. 31. Vehicle damage was estimated to be more than $1,000, according to the sheriff's office.

While the chase went through Kechi, its officers were not involved as they were at the scene of a DUI incident.