On February 2nd at approximately 12:30 am Bates County Dispatch received a request for assistance from the Linn County Kansas Sheriff’s Office in reference to a pursuit that was entering Bates County. The pursuit began on 69 Highway and was entering Bates County on 52 Highway. Deputies got into position to assist and to attempt to deploy tire deflating devices. Per policy additional staff was called from home to assist in the pursuit.
The pursuit continued from the Kansas state line to Butler. During the pursuit the passenger began to throw items like flashlights and canned vegetables. One of the canned vegetables struck a patrol vehicle’s windshield causing it to shatter. The pursuit continued with speeds over 100mph and entered the City of Butler. The vehicle continued through Butler with speeds over 80 mph. At the intersection of Austin and Broadway the vehicle came head on with the Sheriff’s truck. The vehicle attempted to swerve around the patrol truck when the Sheriff initiated a PIT maneuver on the vehicle. The vehicle and Sheriff’s truck came to rest in the yard at that intersection.
The driver, Shelby McGee 06-15-96 out of Independence, MO was taken into custody. The passenger, Chad Thompson 04-20-94 out of Smithville, Mo, was also taken into custody.
McGee has active warrants out of Clay County for Larceny and Burglary in the 1st Degree with a bond of $75,000 cash and surety.
Thompson has active warrants out of Clay County for Property Damage and Burglary in the 1st Degree and his bond is $100,000 cash or surety.
During a search of the vehicle multiple bags of a white crystalline substance were located on them and in the vehicle. Both McGee and Thompson face multiple felony charges in Bates County. The Sheriff was seen at the hospital for an injury to his hand that occurred during the arrest and released.
“This was team work with Butler Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. Tonight we stopped a dangerous pursuit and took career criminals off the street.” Said Sheriff Anderson.
