From GBPD
On July 8, at approximately 5:27 p.m., an officer with the Great Bend Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 traveling on the Park Street Extension on the east side of Great Bend. The driver, later identified as Braden Holley, 23, failed to stop and fled from officers.
Holley led officers on a pursuit east of Great Bend before continuing north on NE 20 Avenue for several miles. During the pursuit, officers advised over the radio that the suspect was throwing multiple items from the vehicle while fleeing at a high rate of speed.
The pursuit ended when Holley crashed the vehicle near the intersection of NE 20 Avenue and NE 230 Road. Holley was taken into custody without further incident.
Following the arrest, Barton County Sheriff's Office K-9 Menta conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the odor of an illegal narcotic. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of suspected methamphetamine and evidence consistent with the distribution of illegal narcotics.
Based on officers' observations during the pursuit, responding officers retraced the route and located a black rifle bag that had been discarded from the vehicle. The bag contained several firearms and ammunition.
Holley was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked in lieu of a $50,000 cash or surety bond. The Great Bend PD was assisted in this case by the Barton County Sheriff's Office and the Hoisington Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be requested as the case is reviewed.
Anyone with information related to this incident or any other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120, Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300, or submit an anonymous tip online at www.p3tips.com.