In the early morning hours of 11-20-2018, Barton County Deputy Kainen Nance, attempted to make a traffic stop on a 2017 Dodge Charger on HWY 126 east of I-49 for speeding and several lane violations. Once the Deputy activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop the vehicle sped up to a high rate of speed heading west bound.
Deputy Nance began pursuing the vehicle along several highways and County roads entering into Jasper County, Crawford County, KS and then into Cherokee County, KS. The vehicle then ran out of fuel south-west of Columbus, KS and the driver and passenger fled on foot in opposing directions through crop fields. Deputy Nance was able to apprehend the driver as Deputy Haven Clemons chased and apprehended the passenger in the vehicle.
Both the driver, Collin P. Gepford and passenger John A. Withrow had active felony warrants for their arrest. A search of the vehicle was conducted and drug paraphernalia was recovered. Both suspects were taken into custody by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies later located a stolen handgun and controlled substances along the route of the pursuit on 126 Highway. The suspects are accused of throwing the items from the vehicle during the chase. Reports will be sent to the Barton County Prosecutor for formal filing of criminal charges.
This was the second Vehicle chase that Colin Gepford has been involved in within our county.
On 12-3-2016 Deputy Toby Luce pursued Gepford in Barton County and was assisted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Department of Conservation in apprehending Gepford.
