On Feb. 10, at about 3:15 p.m., a deputy with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle in the city of Ellinwood on US 56 Highway, near Main Street. The stop was for a traffic infraction.
The vehicle turned south on Main Street and began to accelerate. The suspect then returned to US 56, fleeing from the officer at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour. Deputies pursued the vehicle into Rice County and after driving through several fields and township roads the suspect vehicle sustained disabling damage on the 3 Road in Rice County. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Arrested at the scene was Austin Newton, age 36 of Hutchinson. Newton was initially charged with attempting to flee and elude. Further investigation located nearly a pound of suspected methamphetamine and over $1,400 cash in the vehicle.
Newton was transported to the Barton County jail and booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felony flee and elude, driving while suspended, possession of marijuana and numerous other charges.
It was discovered Austin Newton had outstanding warrants in Sedgwick County as well as Rice County. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond on the Barton County charges and multiple bonds on the Sedgwick and Rice County charges.