Great Bend Man Arrested Following Pursuit in Barton, Rice Counties

On September 17 at about 1 AM, a Barton County Sheriff's Deputy was taking a report of a stolen vehicle in the 3800 block of Second Street just southwest of the City of Great Bend.

According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, while at the scene, the deputy broadcasted the description of the vehicle on the radio. A unit with the Great Bend Police Department observed the vehicle at about 1:39 AM eastbound on US Highway 56 leaving Great Bend. Deputies intercepted the vehicle on East Barton County Road and attempted to stop it.

The vehicle fled east toward the City of Ellinwood where an Ellinwood police unit was able to deploy stop sticks, which the vehicle ran over and flattened one tire. The vehicle continued east out of Ellinwood into Rice County, at which point the Rice County Sheriff's Office and Lyons Police Department joined the pursuit. Stop sticks were again deployed east of Chase flattening another tire. The vehicle continued into the city of Lyons where it struck two patrol units from the Barton County Sheriff's Office and one from the Sterling Police Department. The vehicle was then forced to stop after being struck by units from several agencies.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as 24-year-old Luis Cerna of Great Bend. Cerna was arrested and transported to the Rice County Jail where he is being held on charges of felony flee and elude, driving while habitual violator, possession of stolen property and criminal damage to property. His bond is set at $75,000. The Barton County Sheriff's Office is requesting charges of felony flee and elude and theft. He will be transferred to Barton County after facing the Rice County charges.

(Information and photo courtesy Barton County Sheriff's Office.)