Police nab chase suspect

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August 3, 2017 - 12:00 AM

FORT SCOTT — Levi Rodebush, whom authorities believe stole a hay bale-laden pickup in Allen County and led officers on a lengthy police chase before eluding capture a week ago, has been arrested.
Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department arrested Rodebush, 29, Fort Scott, Wednesday, just a few hours after his identity was released to the public via Facebook by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department.
Officers believe Rodebush first stole a bicycle, and then a tractor and hay baler in Yates Center, before discarding the tractor for a pickup west of Iola.
The owner, who was working nearby, saw the suspect drive off with his pickup — loaded with a giant hay bale — and alerted police.
Deputies, as well as Iola police officers and law enforcement from Bourbon County and the Kansas Highway Patrol, pursued the pickup along several miles of gravel roads before the chase entered eastern Bourbon County. The pickup also had a loaded firearm.
The suspect eventually drove into a field, crashing the pickup in a creekbed, before escaping on foot. He did not take the firearm with him after stopping, officers noted. It was recovered in the pickup.
After several days of investigation, deputies eventually learned the suspect’s name.
Within minutes of posting a telephone number found on a discarded cell phone, officers were able to identify Rodebush as the alleged thief.
 A wanted poster with his photo was posted on Facebook Wednesday morning.
Hours later, he was in custody.
Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy said it wasn’t immediately clear if the social media information played a role in the FSPD’s arrest.
Charges are pending.

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