Police search for man after chase

Topeka police are searching for a man who led them on a chase Tuesday with reported speeds up to 100 mph.

Portions of the chase included north end of downtown, Oakland, North Topeka and on Interstate 70.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., officers located a stolen car in the 500 block of S.W. Tyler, said Topeka police Lt. Jerry Monasmith. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Monasmith said speeds were reported up to 100 mph on the highway. However the pursuit was called off because of traffic conditions.

A short time later, officers found the vehicle in the 500 block of S.W. Taylor. They searched the Brennan Mathena Funeral Home after thinking the man may have fled inside, however he wasn't found.

Officers checked surveillance videos from nearby businesses to see if they could locate the man. Police dogs also assisted in the search.

Monasmith said they are looking into the possibility that the chase Tuesday was related to robberies that occurred Monday night. In those incidents, police were looking for a maroon vehicle. The vehicle involved in Tuesday's chase was a burgundy Subaru, Monasmith said.

The driver is described as an American Indian man with long hair in a ponytail and a goatee. He was wearing gray shorts with a black stripe, a red shirt and carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007 or Topeka police at 785-368-9400.

Below are some tweets from Capital-Journal staffer Phil Anderson while the chase was occurring:

Police chase ongoing at 434 pm Tue in downtown Topeka area -- first reported near 1st and S. Kansas Avenue, now over in Oakland area, speeds up to 50 mph. #Topeka @Topeka_Police

— Phil Anderson (@Philreports) July 17, 2018