TOPEKA, Kan. — For the third time in the past five days, a motorist fled from Topeka police officers early Thursday, resulting in the arrest of the driver – the second time this year the same man has been arrested in connection with fleeing from officers.
Police identified the driver as Steven Laverne Walker, 44, whose address was listed on jail records as 921 S.W. Medford.
Jail officials said Walker was booked in connection with driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, felony fleeing and eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony obstruction, aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Jail officials said Walker was nonbondable because of the aggravated assault count.
Police Lt. Scott Gilchrist said the latest chase started at 2:39 a.m. near S.W. 11th and Gage after officers attempted to stop a white four-door car Walker was driving at S.W. 11th and Gage.
Rather than pulling over, Walker took off and initiated a high-speed pursuit.
During the chase, Gilchrist said, Walker attempted to strike officers who were trying to deploy stop sticks.
Gilchrist said Walker jumped out of his moving vehicle, which had one passenger, and attempted to run on foot in the 3300 block of S.W. Burlingame Road before he was apprehended by a police canine.
The area where Walker was taken into custody is about four miles south and east of where the pursuit began.
Walker was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, then was arrested by police and booked into jail. A passenger in the car was interviewed by police, then released.
According to Topeka Capital-Journal records, Walker also was booked into jail on two previous occasions since July in connection with felony offenses involving law enforcement officers.
On July 26, Walker was booked in connection with aggravated assault, interference with a law enforcement officer and obstruction. Walker also was booked Aug. 19 in connection with fleeing and attempting to elude police.
Kansas Department of Corrections records indicate Walker was released from prison in April for a 2004 Reno County burglary and theft conviction. Walker had been incarcerated at Lansing Correctional Facility prior to his release.