Prior to this report, the Sheriff’s Office had received two additional calls for service involving similar circumstances in different areas of the county. Although the incidents were not geographically close, the descriptions and reported behavior were similar.
As deputies arrived in the area, they located the individual in his vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and continued fleeing, leading deputies to initiate a vehicle pursuit.
During the pursuit, the driver called 911 and advised that he was “out with deputies” before disconnecting the call. Dispatchers attempted to communicate with him and direct him to stop, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
The pursuit continued for approximately 40 minutes, with speeds exceeding 80 mph at times. The pursuit primarily traveled through the northwest portion of Miami County, including areas where multiple road construction projects are underway. The suspect’s actions not only created a danger to deputies and the motoring public, but also placed road construction crews working in those areas at risk.
Deputies made multiple attempts to safely bring the pursuit to an end, including deploying tire deflation devices and attempting tactical vehicle intervention.
One deployment of STOP Sticks was successful, causing one of the vehicle’s tires to deflate. Although the vehicle’s speed decreased, the driver continued to flee. Additional attempts at tactical vehicle intervention were unsuccessful due to the driver’s erratic driving and limited visibility caused by dust on gravel roads. Deputies did not make intentional vehicle-to-vehicle contact during those attempts.
Near 323rd Street and Crescent Hill Road, the fleeing vehicle crashed into a steel pipe fence. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a field, wooded area, and creek bed.
Deputies pursued the suspect on foot through the wooded area and creek bed and onto a neighboring residential property. The suspect made contact with two citizens at the residence before deputies located him and took him into custody.
Due to the crash and the suspect’s actions during the incident, Miami County EMS was requested to evaluate him. Following the assessment, he was transported to the Miami County Jail.
Michael Scott Zellner, 42, of Wichita, Kansas, is currently being held at the Miami County Jail on allegations including:
• Improper Driving on Laned Roadway
• Failure to Yield at a Stop or Yield Sign
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement – Five or More Moving Violations
• Interference with Law Enforcement
Additional charges may be requested as the investigation continues.
We appreciate the diligence of the homeowners who recognized the suspicious behavior and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Their willingness to report what they observed provided deputies with valuable information and helped us identify and locate the individual.
We also appreciate the assistance provided by our outside agency partners during this incident and their understanding of the importance of safely apprehending this individual while protecting the public, responding personnel, and those working along our roadways.
All persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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