Pursuit Arrest

PITTSBURG, KANSAS – On Wednesday morning, April 14, 2021, at approximately 10:40 AM, a law enforcement officer with the Pittsburg Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a spray painted Ford Fusion passenger vehicle in the 200 block of E. 24th Terrace., in Pittsburg, for an observed moving violation. The vehicle failed to yield and then began to flee from the officer. The vehicle traveled to N. Joplin St., and then to E. 20th St., where it began to head southbound in the alley. The vehicle continued to flee down the alleys until it crashed into a fence and a pole in the east alley in the 1600 block of N. Joplin St. Both the driver and passenger fled the vehicle on foot and were apprehended a short time later. When the vehicle crashed, it began to smoke and then caught on fire. The Pittsburg Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 29-year-old John D. Robertson Jr., of Pittsburg, and the passenger was identified as 22-year-old Kaitlyn M. McMurry, also of Pittsburg.

The spray painted Ford Fusion was identified as a vehicle that was reported stolen out of rural Crawford County on April 11, 2021. A search of the vehicle was conducted and items of illegal drugs, believed to be methamphetamine, and related drug paraphernalia, were located.

Mr. Robertson was placed under arrest for felony possession of stolen property, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony flee and elude, felony interference with law enforcement, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, no valid driver’s license, and a warrant out of the City of Frontenac. Mr. Robertson was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking, and is currently being held in lieu of a $3,435.00 bond.

Ms. McMurry was placed under arrest for felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, an Allan County Kansas felony warrant, two Crawford County probation violation warrants, and a City of Pittsburg Warrant. Ms. McMurry was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking, and is currently being held without bond.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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